Democrats Flip Trump +18 State House Seat In Special Election, Governor Says

Democrats are declaring victory in a special election for a Pennsylvania state House seat that typically leans Republican.

Brandon Dukes, the Democratic candidate, has unofficially defeated Republican Scott Timko by a total of just under 100 votes.

“The Associated Press has yet to call the race,” Pennsylvania Capital-Star stated.

“As of Wednesday afternoon, the county elections bureau said they completed their first official signing, and that a five-day period allowing challenges to the results has begun,” it continued.

The two candidates will face each other again in November for a full two-year term in the state House.

“Brandon Dukes just flipped a state House District in Butler County — a seat Trump carried by 18 points and the GOP state rep won by 30 points in 2024. Pennsylvanians are rising up and using their power to combat the chaos, cruelty, and corruption — and we’re not slowing down,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said.

“I was proud to back Brandon. Congratulations State Representative-Elect Dukes — I look forward to getting stuff done together,” he added.

Brandon Dukes just flipped a state House District in Butler County — a seat Trump carried by 18 points and the GOP state rep won by 30 points in 2024.

Pennsylvanians are rising up and using their power to combat the chaos, cruelty, and corruption — and we’re not slowing down.…

— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) August 19, 2026

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More from Pennsylvania Capital-Star:

Bob Bozzuto, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania House Republican Campaign Committee, said, “Regardless of yesterday’s results, the candidates have to regroup and prepare for a competitive General Election that will have significantly more voter turnout. The General Election starts today with Scott Timko reaching out to voters, building a winning coalition, and holding Brandon Dukes accountable for his extreme positions that he continues to hide from voters.”

Still, the victory was a major boon for Pennsylvania Democrats, who are hoping to build momentum going into a series of key elections this fall.

The district, which was previously represented by Stephenie Scialabba before she resigned in March, has not elected a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House in more than 20 years. And voters there elected President Donald Trump by an 18% margin in 2024.

Tuesday’s results represent a major shift.

“Tonight’s result not only shows what can be accomplished when Democrats are willing to fight everywhere, but it sets the stage for this November’s midterm elections,” Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Eugene DePasquale said in a statement. “Pennsylvanians across the political spectrum are sick and tired of Republicans’ chaotic, corrupt, and cost-raising agenda — and they’re ready to reject them at the polls and elect Democrats up and down the ballot in historic fashion.”

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The victory for Dukes will temporarily increase Democrats’ slim majority in the Pennsylvania state House to 103-100.

Voter turnout for the special election was extremely low, with less than one-third of registered voters casting a ballot.

Pennsylvania State House District 12 Special Election

27 of 27 Precincts Reported:

Brandon Dukes – 8,434 (50.2%)

Scott Timko – 8,346 (49.6%)

Trump won this district by 18 points in 2024.

— VoteHub (@VoteHub) August 19, 2026

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The Hill shared further:

Still, Democrats celebrated the victory, with former Biden Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (D) suggesting the race’s outcome indicates of a broader dip in support for the Republican Party.

“This is a big deal: Brandon Dukes just flipped a Pennsylvania state House seat held by Republicans for almost 30 years,” Buttigieg wrote in a Wednesday morning social media post. “His victory in Butler County reflects voters’ readiness for change, and the trust that he has earned in his district. I’m proud to be in his corner.”

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[H/T 100PercentFedUp]