Democrats are in firm-ish control of the Pennsylvania state house after Democrat Jim Prokopiak won a special election in a state district outside Philadelphia, giving Democrats a two-seat majority in the chamber, the New York Times reports.
Why was this important? Until last Friday, the state house was evenly split, but under Democratic leadership through an administrative agreement between Party leaders. So what happened Friday? Delaware County Republican Joe Adams literally ghosted the Legislature: he announced his resignation which apparently took effect immediately, scrubbed his website and left Harrisburg. (I completely understand the impulse.) Adams’ departure gave Democrats a one-seat majority for the last 96 hours; Prokopiak’s victory gives a two-seat majority until a special election can be held for Adams’ vacant (but warm) seat.