Deceased Pennsylvania State Rep. Reelected in Landslide

Democrat Party materials encouraging people to vote in the midterm general election are seen in Philadelphia on Nov, 7, 2022. Mark Makela/Getty Images

A state lawmaker in Pennsylvania has been reelected to another term in office on Nov. 8 despite already passing away last month.

State Rep. Tony DeLuca, a Democrat, died at age 85 on Oct. 9 due to lymphoma. The timing of his death was too late for election officials to change the ballots.

DeLuca had served as a representative in the Pennsylvania state legislature for 39 years. He received more than 85 percent of the vote in the 32nd District in Allegheny County. This accounted for nearly 14,000 votes on Election Day, and more than 7,000 votes via mail.

DeLuca had served on the House Insurance Committee and the Democratic Policy Committee.

His opponent, Green candidate Queonia “Zarah” Livingston, received roughly 14 percent of the vote.

He had been a resident of Penn Hills for more than 60 years, and held degrees in real estate and political science from the Community College of Allegheny County, reported the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

DeLuca’s posthumous victory has triggered a special election to take place later.

Pennsylvania House Democrats said on Twitter: “While we’re incredibly saddened by the loss of Representative Tony DeLuca, we are proud to see the voters to continue to show their confidence in him and his commitment to Democratic values by re-electing him posthumously. A special election will follow soon.”

DeLuca was preceded by his late wife, Constance, who died from breast cancer in 2021. They had been married for 66 years.

The late state representative is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.