School Board Member Secures Democratic Nomination For Seat In Upcoming Special Election

Pennsbury School Board member Jim Prokopiak will be the Democrat running against Republican Candace Cabanas in the upcoming special election for the 140th Legislative District seat.

Prokopiak earned unanimous approval from the Bucks County Democratic Committee’s Executive Board. He had previously received the nomination from the local Democratic committee in the district., according to an announcement made Wednesday.

Democratic State Rep. John Galloway’s resignation last week has opened up the 140th Legislative District seat that encompasses Falls Township, Morrisville Borough, Tullytown Borough, and a section of Middletown Township. Galloway will fill retiring District Judge Jan Vislosky’s seat early in the new year.

Prokopiak, Donna Petrecco, and Melanie Bidlingmaier, Galloway’s former chief of staff, were vying to run as a Democrat for the seat.

“The people of Lower Bucks County need a voice in Harrisburg who is willing to fight for  them,” Prokopiak said. “For too many people, the American dream is drifting further away housing and healthcare are too expensive, and many jobs don’t provide for those basic needs. Our  schools are not properly funded, and college and technical training are too expensive.”  

“In Harrisburg, I will work with our Democratic majority to make real change in people’s lives. I  will work to lower the cost of living, help keep people in their homes, fully fund our public  schools, and always protect a woman’s right to choose,” Prokopiak added.

Prokopiak, 49 and a father of three, is a graduate of West Chester University and Temple University School of Law.

Bringing over a decade of public service experience, Prokopiak, a Levittown resident, said he is currently the only candidate in the race with prior elected experience.

Prokopiak’s time in public service began with his election to the Pennsbury School Board in 2021. He noted that his time on the board has shown his commitment to public education and he has voted against tax increases in both 2022 and 2023.

Prior to his current role, Prokopiak served as a Falls Township supervisor from 2002 to 2009.

“As a local elected official for over a decade, I have worked on solving problems, both as a Falls  Township Supervisor and a Pennsbury School Board member. However, at the local level the  options we have to help with many of the issues most important to our residents are limited. We need people in Harrisburg that will focus on solving problems, while also providing local elected  officials with more tools to help combat the issues their communities face,” Prokopiak said.

The special election is seen as important for both parties as they vie for the majority in the Pennsylvania House. Democrats held a one-person majority until Galloway resigned.

State Rep. Tina Davis, a Democrat from Bristol Township and chairperson of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, noted the importance of the seat.

“With a 101-101 split in the PA House, this special election is critical to Democrats’ ability to  maintain our majority and continue delivering for Pennsylvanians. Jim has been a champion of  working people his whole life, and he will make a terrific partner in Harrisburg,” Davis said.

Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies

---

---