Galloway reportedly will resign state House seat on Dec. 15

State Rep. John Galloway (D-Bucks) reportedly plans to resign from his seat in the Pa. House on Dec. 15. LevittownNow.com first reported the news of Galloway’s resignation, which follows his election last month to district judge. Galloway didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment from the Capital-Star on Tuesday.

Melanie Bidlingmaier, Galloway’s chief of staff, will seek to replace him in the 140th District.

“I know what it’s like to be out of work, out of health insurance, and struggling to make ends meet,” Bidlingmaier said in a press release announcing her campaign. “Earlier in my life, as a single mother with two kids, I worked two and sometimes three jobs to provide for my family. Harrisburg forgets about people who have stories like mine. The residents of Lower Bucks County deserve a voice in the legislature who understands their struggles.”

Bidlingmaier said she has experience as a legislative aide and community volunteer, and said she supports abortion rights. Her campaign has the support of Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia.

“We need a woman in the legislature who understands our struggles and will protect a woman’s right to choose,” Marseglia said in a statement. 

Bidlingmaier said while serving as Galloway’s chief of staff, she’s built relationships with many government stakeholders and community organizations. She helped found Bucks County Crime Stoppers, where she served as the volunteer Executive Director and is a Bucks County Democratic Committee executive board member. 

Bidlingmaier is the second Democrat to launch a bid for Galloway’s seat. Donna Petrecco, vice chair of the Bucks County Housing Authority, announced her campaign on Nov. 16. 

Once Galloway resigns from his seat on Dec. 15, House Speaker Joanna McClinton will determine the date of the special election. The House will once again be deadlocked at 101 Democrats and 101 Republicans until Galloway’s seat is filled. The House is currently scheduled to be in session for three days in December, but has yet to announce its 2024 session calendar. 

Galloway, who has represented the district in the Philadelphia suburbs since 2007, currently serves as the Chair of the House Commerce Committee. 

Bucks County is considered to be the only purple county of the Philadelphia suburbs, although the 140th state House District favors Democrats. 

Galloway ran unopposed in the 2022 election and defeated Republican challenger Jeanine McGee by 20 points in 2020.