A state lawmaker in Pennsylvania has been re-elected 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.
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