Democrat Announces Candidacy For 140th Legislative District Seat

A Democrat has thrown her hat in the ring for the soon-to-open 140th Legislative District, which will become empty when current State Rep. John Galloway becomes district judge in January.

Falls Township resident Donna Petrecco announced her campaign Wednesday for state representative.

Petrecco is the first candidate to announce in the upcoming race that will be watched statewide as Democrats hold a slight majority in the state capitol.

Petrecco released a statement on her announcement:

“I am excited to announce my candidacy for State Representative in the 140th District of Pennsylvania. My decision to run for public office is rooted in a deep commitment to the well-being and prosperity of our hometown. 

“As a lifelong resident and as a mother who has raised my daughters here in Lower Bucks County, I have witnessed both the opportunities and challenges that our hometown faces. 

“With Representative John Galloway set to vacate this seat in the coming weeks, we need to guarantee that we will continue to have a strong voice in Harrisburg fighting for us. 

“I believe that public service is a privilege and an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those I seek to represent. Our government needs to work better for us to ensure that no one forgets about how important and special our hometown is, and that our tax dollars are being spent on the services that we can actually see. 

“If I have the honor to be your next State Representative, I will work tirelessly to be an advocate on the pressing issues that matter most to our residents, from protecting abortion rights, to keeping our community safe, to fostering economic growth that creates family sustaining jobs, and ensuring access to a quality education for our children. 

“It is my promise to you that I will be a State Representative that will bridge partisan divides and recognize diverse perspectives within our hometown district to get things done. This moment is too big to sit on the sidelines and that is why I’m stepping up and running, to fight for all of us.” 

Petrecco has become a frequent sight at Democratic political events over the past few years. Earlier this year, she spoke ahead of a rally for Democratic commissioners Bob Harvie and Diane Ellis-Marseglia that featured Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Gov. Josh Shapiro.

“Petrecco’s family has deep roots in Levittown stretching back for generations. Her desire to serve is fueled by her passion for the community that raised her grandparents, parents, and children,” her campaign statement said.

A Bishop Conwell Catholic High School alumna, Petrecco earned a marketing degree from St. Joseph’s University. Post-graduation, she moved to New York City and worked in marketing and public relations with top cosmetic brands. In 2005, Petrecco returned to her hometown of Falls Township to raise her family. She took a break from her career to be a full-time mother, rejoining the workforce in 2013 as her youngest child began preschool.

Petrecco, who previously was a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader, has worked at a local real estate agency.

Aside from being involved in the Falls Township Democratic Party, Petrecco serves on the Falls Township Historic Preservation Committee and is vice chairperson of the Bucks County Housing Authority.

With Galloway’s impending departure, a special election will be called in the new year.

The 140th Legislative District covers Falls Township, Tullytown Borough, and a section of Middletown Township.

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