What Pa.'s US representatives, senators said when asked if they'll accept election result
Sen. Bob Casey and 10 U.S. House representatives from Pennsylvania, including one Republican, expressed commitment to certifying the results of the presidential election, no matter whether former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris is victorious.
The USA TODAY Network emailed 17 congressional representatives and two senators from Pennsylvania the same question: After the states certify their election results, will you accept the outcome and vote in favor of certifying the results regardless of which presidential candidate wins?
More: Report IDs 202 election deniers in 7 key states. 87 are from the Pa. General Assembly.
Casey answered in the affirmative and said members of Congress must "protect the sacred right to vote," while Sen. John Fetterman responded by saying, “The only candidate in presidential electoral history to challenge the validity is Trump. Ask him.”
There was no response from seven GOP representatives when asked whether they would accept the vote outcome.
All House representatives and Casey are up for reelection and will only be involved in certifying the presidential election if they return to Congress.
The question is particularly pertinent given the role that several Pennsylvania representatives played in efforts to contest the election outcome in 2020. Just hours after a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, eight Pennsylvania Republicans objected to certifying President Joe Biden’s win in the Keystone State.
Rep. Scott Perry of York County was revealed to have had an even more active part in Trump’s attempt to seize power, working with state lawmakers on ways to challenge Biden’s victory in Pennsylvania and lobbying for the appointment of a new U.S. attorney general who would help Trump overturn the election results.
The only GOP House member from Pennsylvania to support certifying the commonwealth's results in 2021 was Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County. He’s also the only Republican to respond to the USA TODAY Network’s question about accepting the election results.
Here are the full responses from Pennsylvania’s Senate and House members, as shared by their spokespeople:
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District: "Yes."
Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-2nd District: "In 2016, I opposed Donald Trump’s election. However, I accepted the certified election results. I fully expect to again accept the certified results, no matter who wins. This is about more than any specific candidate or party. It’s about our democracy.”
Rep. Dwight Evans, D-3rd District: "Yes."
Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th District: "I will always vote to certify free and fair elections. Numerous checks are set in place to ensure our elections remain free, and to overturn an election with no evidence of security lapses would be doing the opposite. We have dedicated and qualified overseers of our elections, from machine operators in every small town to state-level secretaries of state. We have no reason to believe this year's elections will be anything but secure, and unless given a reason to be concerned, it is not appropriate for members of Congress to undermine the will of the people."
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5th District: "Yes, after the states certify their election results, Rep. Scanlon will accept the outcome and vote in favor of certifying the results regardless of which presidential candidate wins.”
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th District: "Representative Houlahan is happy to answer this question. Yes, she will accept the outcome of the election and yes, she will vote in favor of certifying the results because she believes in the integrity of our election process. She is one of the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus who has signed a pledge to vote in favor of certifying the election and attend the inauguration of the new president, regardless of who it is.”
Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District: "Yes, Rep. Wild will accept and certify the votes of the 2024 election, regardless of the candidate who wins.”
Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8th District: “Yes.”
Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9th District No response.
Rep. Scott Perry, R-10th District: No response.
Rep. Lloyd Smucker R-11th District: No response.
Rep. Summer Lee, D-12th District: “I strongly believe in the fundamental principle of democracy — that every vote should be counted and that the voice of the people must be heard. It's not about partisan politics; it's about ensuring that our democracy functions as it should — with the people at its center. My commitment is to uphold the democratic process, and to make sure the will of the people is recognized. Democracy is not about any one candidate or party; it's about the collective power of our communities to shape our future. So, yes, I will vote to certify the election results and stand with the people, every step of the way.”
Rep. John Joyce, R-13th District: No response.
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-14th District: No response.
Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-15th District: No response.
Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th District: No response.
Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-17th District: "Yes.”
Sen. Bob Casey-D: “Members of Congress have a duty to preserve the sanctity of our elections and protect the sacred right to vote. After the states certify their election results, I will vote in favor of certifying those results in Congress to pave the way for the next administration.”
Sen. John Fetterman-D: "That's absurd. The only candidate in presidential electoral history to challenge the validity is Trump. Ask him.”
Bethany Rodgers is a USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania capital bureau investigative journalist.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Will Pa's reps accept presidential election results?