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Dukes Wins Pennsylvania House District 12 by 88 Votes

8/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Democratic candidate Brandon Dukes won Pennsylvania House District 12, ending nearly 30 years of Republican control.
Unofficial results show Dukes received 8,434 votes to Republican Scott Timko’s 8,346, a margin of 88 votes.
Governor Josh Shapiro noted that U.S. President Donald Trump carried the district by 18 points in 2024.
Because the margin is under 0.5 %, officials are reviewing whether an automatic recount applies.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 Republican Revolution, in which the GOP gained a net 54 U.S. House seats and took ten governorships, gave Republicans control of many state legislative chambers for the first time since the 1950s. That wave established long-standing GOP strength in Pennsylvania, where a recent 88-vote Democratic win in District 12 highlights how swing districts can still overturn three-decade trends.

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Story summary

Democratic candidate Brandon Dukes won Pennsylvania House District 12, ending nearly 30 years of Republican control.
Unofficial results show Dukes received 8,434 votes to Republican Scott Timko’s 8,346, a margin of 88 votes.
Governor Josh Shapiro noted that U.S. President Donald Trump carried the district by 18 points in 2024.
Because the margin is under 0.5 %, officials are reviewing whether an automatic recount applies.

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