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Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District

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Incumbent

Summer Lee

Assumed office: January 3, 2023

Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District in theUnited States House of Representatives is represented bySummer Lee (D).

As of the 2020 Census, Pennsylvania representatives represented an average of 765,403 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 707,495 residents.

Elections

There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.

General election

The primary will occur on May 19, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

IncumbentSummer Lee (D),Adam Forgie (D), andWilliam Parker (D) are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on May 19, 2026.

		Candidate
		Summer Lee
		Adam Forgie
		William Parker

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Benson Fechter (R),James Hayes (R), andArnold Santos (R) are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on May 19, 2026.

		Candidate
		Benson Fechter
		James Hayes
	Submit photo	Arnold Santos

	There are noincumbents in this race.
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General election

General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

IncumbentSummer Lee (D) defeatedJames Hayes (R) in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Summer Lee (D)	56.2	234,802
	James Hayes (R)	43.5	181,426
	Other/Write-in votes	0.3%	1,280

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 417,508
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

IncumbentSummer Lee (D) defeatedBhavini Patel (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on April 23, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Summer Lee	60.4	64,594
	Bhavini Patel	39.2	41,902
	Other/Write-in votes	0.4%	415

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 106,911
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Laurie MacDonald (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

James Hayes (R) defeatedPaul Bryant (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on April 23, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	James Hayes	98.5	34,759
	Paul Bryant (Write-in)	0.0	0
	Other/Write-in votes	1.5%	543

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 35,302
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Paul Berginc Sr. (R)
Laurie MacDonald (R)

General election

General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Summer Lee (D) defeatedMichael Doyle (R) in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Summer Lee (D)	56.2	184,674
	Michael Doyle (R)	43.8	143,946

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 328,620
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Summer Lee (D) defeatedSteve Irwin (D),Jerry Dickinson (D),Jeff Woodard (D), andWilliam Parker (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on May 17, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Summer Lee	41.9	48,002
	Steve Irwin	41.0	47,014
	Jerry Dickinson	10.9	12,440
	Jeff Woodard	4.8	5,454
	William Parker	1.5	1,670

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 114,580
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Michael Doyle (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Doyle	100.0	39,531

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 39,531
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

IncumbentFred Keller (R) defeatedLee Griffin (D) andElizabeth Terwilliger (L) in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Fred Keller (R)	70.8	241,035
	Lee Griffin (D)	29.2	99,199
	Elizabeth Terwilliger (L) (Write-in)	0.0	0

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 340,234
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Lee Griffin (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lee Griffin	100.0	41,313

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 41,313
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

IncumbentFred Keller (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Fred Keller	100.0	87,886

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 87,886
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

Special general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Fred Keller (R) defeatedMarc Friedenberg (D) in the special general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on May 21, 2019.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Fred Keller (R)	68.1	90,000
	Marc Friedenberg (D)	31.9	42,195

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 132,1950
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic convention

The Democratic convention scheduled for March 2, 2019, was canceled.Marc Friedenberg (D) advanced from the special Democratic convention for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 without appearing on the ballot.

Republican convention

Special Republican convention for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Fred Keller (R) defeatedMalcolm Derk (R),Stacy Garrity (R),Chris Hoffman (R), andJoseph Moralez (R) in the special Republican convention for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on March 2, 2019.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Malcolm Derk
		Stacy Garrity
	Submit photo	Chris Hoffman
✔		Fred Keller
	Submit photo	Joseph Moralez

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Jeff Wheeland (R)

General election

General election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

IncumbentTom Marino (R) defeatedMarc Friedenberg (D) in the general election for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on November 6, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Tom Marino (R)	66.0	161,047
	Marc Friedenberg (D)	34.0	82,825

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 243,8720
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

Marc Friedenberg (D) defeatedJudy Herschel (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on May 15, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Marc Friedenberg	50.4	12,802
	Judy Herschel	49.6	12,606

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 25,408
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12

IncumbentTom Marino (R) defeatedDoug McLinko (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Pennsylvania District 12 on May 15, 2018.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Tom Marino	67.0	39,967
	Doug McLinko	33.0	19,662

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 59,629
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Previous election results

2016

See also:Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpediarated this race as safely Republican. IncumbentKeith Rothfus (R) defeatedErin McClelland (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Neither candidate faced a primary opponent in April.^[1]^[2]

**U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 12 General Election, 2016**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Keith RothfusIncumbent	61.8%	221,851
	Democratic	Erin McClelland	38.2%	137,353
Total Votes				359,204
Source:Pennsylvania Department of State

2014

See also:Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 12th Congressional District of Pennsylvania held an election for theU.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. IncumbentKeith Rothfus (R) defeatedErin McClelland (D) in the general election.

**U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 12 General Election, 2014**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Keith RothfusIncumbent	59.3%	127,993
	Democratic	Erin McClelland	40.7%	87,928
Total Votes				215,921
Source:Pennsylvania Department of State

2012

See also:Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 12th Congressional District of Pennsylvania held an election for theU.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. RepublicanKeith Rothfus beat out incumbentMark Critz to win the district.^[3]

**U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 12 General Election, 2012**
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Mark CritzIncumbent	48.3%	163,589
	Republican	Keith Rothfus	51.7%	175,352
Total Votes				338,941
Source:Pennsylvania Department of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

2010

On November 2, 2010, Mark Critz won re-election to theUnited States House. He defeated Tim Burns (R) in the general election.^[4]

U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 12 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Mark Critz	50.8%	94,056
	Republican	Tim Burns	49.2%	91,170
Total Votes				185,226

2008

On November 4, 2008, John P. Murtha won re-election to theUnited States House. He defeated William Russell (R) in the general election.^[5]

U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 12 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John P. Murthaincumbent	57.9%	155,268
	Republican	William Russell	42.1%	113,120
Total Votes				268,388

2006

On November 7, 2006, John P. Murtha won re-election to theUnited States House. He defeated Diana Irey (R) and various write-in challengers in the general election.^[6]

U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 12 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John P. Murthaincumbent	60.8%	123,472
	Republican	Diana Irey	39.2%	79,612
	N/A	Write-in	0%	79
Total Votes				203,163

2004

On November 2, 2004, John P. Murtha won re-election to theUnited States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.^[7]

U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 12 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John P. Murthaincumbent	100%	204,504
Total Votes				204,504

2002

On November 5, 2002, John P. Murtha won re-election to theUnited States House. He defeated Bill Choby (R) and various write-in challengers in the general election.^[8]

U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 12 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John P. Murthaincumbent	73.5%	124,201
	Republican	Bill Choby	26.5%	44,818
	N/A	Write-in	0%	9
Total Votes				169,028

2000

On November 7, 2000, John P. Murtha (D) won re-election to theUnited States House. He defeated Bill Choby (R) and James N. O'Neil (Reform) in the general election.^[9]

U.S. House, Pennsylvania District 12 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	John P. Murthaincumbent	70.8%	145,538
	Republican	Bill Choby	27.5%	56,575
	Reform	James N. O'Neil	1.6%	3,324
Total Votes				205,437

District map

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also:Redistricting in Pennsylvania after the 2020 census

On February 23, 2022, thePennsylvania Supreme Court ruled to enact a new congressional map.^[10] Over a dozen maps were submitted to the supreme court, including the map approved by the legislature. The court ultimately selected the Carter map in a 4-3 ruling, which was submitted by a group of Pennsylvania citizens who were petitioners in a redistricting-related lawsuit. JusticesDebra Todd (D),Sallie Mundy (R), andKevin Brobson (R) dissented.^[11]Spotlight PA's Kate Huangpu wrote that the map is "as similar as possible to the current congressional map, with nearly 90% of residents staying in the same district."^[11] This map took effect for Pennsylvania's 2022 congressional elections.

The state supreme court took authority over the redistricting process after Gov.Tom Wolf (D) vetoed the legislature's enacted map on January 26.^[12] ThePennsylvania House of Representatives voted to approve the initial map 110-91 on January 12, and thePennsylvania State Senate voted 29-20 to approve the map on January 24.^[13]^[14] Following Wolf's veto, the authority for determining a new map initially rested with a lower court, but in a February 2 ruling the supreme court ruled that it would have control over the process to select a new congressional map.^[15]

How does redistricting in Pennsylvania work? In Pennsylvania, the statutory authority to draw congressional district boundaries is vested with thePennsylvania General Assembly. These lines are subject to gubernatorial veto.^[16]

State legislative district lines are drawn by a politician commission. Established in 1968, the commission comprises five members:^[16]

The majority leader of thePennsylvania State Senate appoints one member.
The minority leader of thePennsylvania State Senate appoints one member.
The majority leader of thePennsylvania House of Representatives appoints one member.
The minority leader of thePennsylvania House of Representatives appoints one member.
The first four commissioners appoint a fifth member to serve as the commission's chair. If the commission is unable to reach an agreement, thePennsylvania Supreme Court must appoint a commission chair.^[16]

ThePennsylvania Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. Further, state legislative districts should "respect county, city, incorporated town, borough, township and ward boundaries." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.^[16]

2020

2024

2018

On January 22, 2018, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down the state's congressional district map, finding that the map constituted an illegalpartisan gerrymander. On February 19, 2018, the court adopted a remedial map for use in the 2018 election cycle. Pennsylvania Republicans filed suit in federal district court to prevent implementation of the new map. The district court dismissed the suit on March 19, 2018. State Republicans also petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States to stay the state supreme court's order pending appeal. The court rejected this request on March 19, 2018. To learn more, seehere.

2010-2011

This is the 12th Congressional District prior to the2010 redistricting.

See also:Redistricting in Pennsylvania after the 2010 census

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission inPennsylvania approved the GOP-proposed map. It was signed into law on December 22, 2001.^[17]^[18]

District analysis

See also:The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also:FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, theCook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+10. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 10 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Pennsylvania's 12th the 131st most Democratic district nationally.^[19]

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, theCook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Pennsylvania's 12th the 145th most Democratic district nationally.^[20]

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the2020 presidential election in this district would have been followingredistricting.Joe Biden (D) would have defeatedDonald Trump (R) 59.4%-39.5%.^[21]

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, theCook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Pennsylvania's 12th the 143rd most Democratic district nationally.^[22]

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the2020 presidential election in this district would have been followingredistricting.Joe Biden (D) would have received 59.4% of the vote in this district andDonald Trump (R) would have received 39.5%.^[23]

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, theCook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+17. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 17 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District the 60th most Republican nationally.^[24]

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.01. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.01 points toward that party.^[25]