Election 2026: Local races could help determine what party controls Pennsylvania House

ADAMS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Local Pennsylvania House of Representatives races could help determine what party controls the state House for the next two years.

In House District 12 in Butler County, Democratic incumbent State Rep. Brandon Dukes is looking to retain his seat against Republican candidate Scott Timko following a special election in August. It’s an election Dukes won by fewer than 100 votes.

Dukes hopes to carry momentum from August into this general election.

Right now, Democrats hold a three-seat majority.

Dukes said he encountered encouraging signs from voters while at the polls.

“Today I had a handful of Republicans who came up to me. I said ‘thank you for voting.’ They shook my hand and said ‘I voted for you, I’m a Republican. I’m tired of all this craziness.’ That was a very encouraging sign of today and what’s going to unfold tonight,” Dukes said.

Scott Timko, the Republican candidate challenging Dukes in District 12, noted that the previous special election suffered from low voter turnout and urged voters in Butler County to turn out before polling places closed.

“The turnout’s been pretty good, but my message to all Republican voters is we still have hours to go. The work isn’t done. We need to keep Butler County conservative, we need to keep Butler County Republican, and if that’s something you care about, you need to get your butts to the poll, and you need to vote,” Timko said.

In House District 16, located in Beaver County, State Rep. Robert Matzie is seeking re-election to the seat he has held since 2009. Matzie described the election atmosphere as a referendum on national issues and the Trump administration, noting that voters are focused primarily on affordability and federal politics.

“That’s all people are talking about. They’re talking about affordability and they’re talking about Washington more so than they’re talking about Harrisburg and the dysfunction they’re having there,” Matzie said. “Republicans are fed up and a lot of the Republicans that we’ve spoken to said they’re voting Democrat.”

John Costanza, the Republican candidate challenging Matzie in District 16, rejected the idea that national politics dictate the local contest. Costanza urged Beaver County voters to consider whether they want to continue long-standing representation or opt for new leadership.

“Donald Trump is not in this area; he’s not running in this state. This is for us here in Beaver County, and we can make a difference. We can make a difference right now, and we have to look: do we want the same old politics for 16 to 18 years or do we want a change,” Costanza said.

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