Election 2024: Prokopiak, Cabanas Square Off For Round II

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —It's Round II.

After winning a special election in February to replace John Galloway, Democratic State Rep. Jim Prokopiak will once again face his challenger to represent the 140th Legislative District as state representative in the Nov. 5 general election.

The former Pennsbury school director and Falls Township supervisor faces Republican Candace Cabanas, a Falls Township native.

Patch requested an election profile from both candidates, but neither turned one in.

The 140th Legislative District includes 33 voting precincts across Morrisville Borough, Tullytown Borough, Falls Township, and some of Middletown Township.

Galloway resigned to become a district justice, causing a 101-101 split of the state House of Representatives. Prokopiak's win retained the Democratic party’s control over the House of Representatives.

The two candidates squared off during a special election in February with Prokopiak receiving 3,143 votes, or 85.36 percent. That was six times more than Cabanas, who garnered 518 votes, or 14.07 percent, according to the Bucks County Board of Elections. There were also 21 write-in votes.

Prokopiak served as a Falls Township Supervisor from 2002 to 2009.

He also served on the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority and volunteers in the community as a basketball and flag football coach. He’s a father of three kids who are all in the Pennsbury School District.

“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," he said in an earlier Patch story. "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.”

In an earlier Patch story, Cabanas said she understands firsthand the challenges faced by working families.

"I know how difficult it is to raise a family and make ends meet in this economy, and I know how important it is to fight for the working-class citizens of Lower Bucks County," Cabanas said. "That's exactly what I’ll do as your next State Representative.

Cabanas said she will be a vocal supporter of our police, firefighters, and first responders in Harrisburg.

"Their daily sacrifices to keep our families safe are invaluable, and they deserve unwavering support and recognition for their heroic efforts," Cabanas said.

"Drawing from my experience in home healthcare, I understand the burdens of rising healthcare costs on families. My goal is to fight for policies that make quality healthcare accessible and affordable for every Pennsylvanian," Cabanas continued.

"Finally, I believe that every student is entitled to a high-quality education that equips them for a rapidly changing economy. I am dedicated to securing our community’s rightful share of education funding, giving our students the tools they need for future success,” Cabanas said.