PA Lawmaker Tony DeLuca's Death No Obstacle To His Re-Election

PENN HILLS PA —Because Democratic state Rep. Tony DeLuca represented the 32nd Legislative
District since 1983 and never faced a serious opponent in his re-election bids, many people probably were not surprised that he won another two-year term in Tuesday's election.

Even though he died last month.

DeLuca, 85, of Penn Hills, succumbed to lymphoma last month, but his name remained on the ballot. With 98.5 percent of the vote counted, DeLuca had 21,244 votes. He had no Republican opponent. Green Party candidate Queona Livingston received 3,490 votes.

All vote tallies are unofficial until verified by the Allegheny County elections division.

DeLuca obviously will not be able to serve his latest two-year term. So what happens next?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, which oversees elections, a special election would be held during the 2023 primary election, the 2023 general election or on a different day designated by the county elections division.

The county must advertise the date and locations for the special election, as well as the candidates running for office.

DeLuca's district includes Penn Hills, Verona, most of Plum and Oakmont.