The resignation of a Republican member of Pennsylvania’s deadlocked House of Representatives has shifted the balance of power back to Democrats ahead of a special election next week for another vacant seat.
Rep. Joe Adams (R-Pike) resigned Friday, saying previously that medical news had changed his focus.
“Dear residents of Pike and Wayne counties, it is an honor to serve in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives,” he said in a prepared statement. “Of course, taking care of my family must be my first priority right now. I will continue to work locally to help the community, its organizations, businesses and people.”
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The freshman lawmaker’s resignation leaves the Democratic majority in the state House at 101-100. The resignations of Democratic senators last year left the House deadlocked 101-101, and a special election next week will fill the vacancy. The state Senate is dominated by Republicans, but Gov. Josh Shapiro is a Democrat.
The Pennsylvania State Capitol on December 16, 2021 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Adams’ seat represents Pike and Wayne counties in the northeastern part of the state. He won about 63% of the vote against his Democratic opponent in the 2022 election. Republicans defeated Democratic opponents in recent elections, and former President Donald Trump won the region in 2020.
The resignation sets the stage for a new special parliamentary election, scheduled for as early as two months later. His three special elections held in the past year have given political parties control of the chamber.
Next week’s Bucks County special election for a seat that has historically favored Democrats could either lead to even stronger Democratic support or the Legislature to return to gridlock until the election for Adams’ seat.
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A spokesperson for the Speaker of the House of Representatives said in a statement that information regarding the election will be released in the future.
