Rep. Galloway’s Chief Of Staff Joins Race For 140th Legislative District Seat

The race for retiring State Rep. John Galloway’s seat is heating up with a second Democratic candidate dropping their hat into the race.

Melanie Bidlingmaier, a Falls Township resident and chief of staff to Galloway, announced Monday that she has taken a leave from the legislature and will run for the open seat in the expected 2024 special election to fill the 140th Legislative District seat.

Galloway’s impending December 15 resignation will open up the 140th Legislative District seat that encompasses Falls Township, Tullytown Borough, and a section of Middletown Township. Galloway will fill retiring District Judge Jan Vislosky’s seat early in the new year.

Falls Township resident Donna Petrecco, a Democrat, has announced last week that she will run for the seat. No Republicans have announced they will run for the seat.

In a statement, Bidlingmaier, a Democrat, mentioned her background as a legislative aide and community volunteer, along with her dedication to safeguard a woman’s right to choose, and the “unyielding support” from Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia as key drivers for her campaign.

Ellis-Marseglia said of Bidlingmaier’s announcement: “We need a woman in the legislature who understands our struggles and will protect a woman’s right to choose. I am proud to endorse Melanie’s campaign for state representative. We need her in Harrisburg.” 

“I know what it’s like to be out of work, out of health insurance, and struggling to make ends meet,” said Bidlingmaier. “Earlier in my life, as a single mother with two kids, I worked two and sometimes three jobs to provide for my family. Harrisburg forgets about people who have stories like mine. The residents of Lower Bucks County deserve a voice in the legislature who understands their struggles.” 

In her role as chief of staff for Galloway, Bidlingmaier fostered connections with senior centers, schools, veterans organizations, churches, fire companies, businesses, labor groups and government leaders. Over the past decade, Bidlingmaier has assisted thousands in the local community, she said.

Bidlingmaier, who is a mother of four, grandmother of two and wife of attorney and fire chief Keith Bidlingmaier, collaborated with Galloway in initiating the Bucks County Crime Stoppers and the Push Out The Pusher Program. These initiatives were instrumental in aiding police to dismantle a significant heroin network. She served as the volunteer executive director of the organization.

Bidlingmaier highlighted her service as a member of the Falls Township Democrats and Fairless Hills Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. She serves as a Bucks County Democratic Committee Executive Board member.

The special election is seen as important for both parties as they vie for the majority in the Pennsylvania House. Democrats presently hold a slight majority.

Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies

---

---