With the eyes of the Pennsylvania political class focused again on a special election, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is stepping up with an investment of its own into the Bucks County race.

As the balance of power in the state House rests with the 140th Legislative District race between Democrat Jim Prokopiak and Republican Candace Cabanas, the DLCC is putting $50,000 in the hands of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus to assist.

Presently, the lower chamber of the Keystone State’s General Assembly is tied with 101 Democrats and 101 Republicans. 2023 was the first year in the previous 12 that Democrats had held the majority and the DLCC is making it clear that it has no interest in returning to the past.

“This race is one of the most important special elections of the year and the DLCC is all hands on deck to ensure that Jim Prokopiak emerges victorious,” said Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams in a statement. “Everything is on the line – from control of the Speaker’s gavel to the future of fundamental freedoms like abortion access. This is a must-win race and our in-state partners need every resource possible to mount the strongest campaign possible in this notorious battleground county. We cannot allow state Republicans to regain control of both chambers and legislate Pennsylvania backward.  The stakes couldn’t be higher.”

Last year, Democrats won five special elections for vacated seats in the state House and now are hoping to extend that streak to six.

“Pennsylvania will be a major battleground this November at all levels of the ballot and putting Democrats in the strongest possible position begins with this special election next month,” said Williams.

Prokopiak is a Levittown attorney and Pennsbury School Board member. The 49-year-old father of three has touted his decade-plus experience in public service, previously serving as a Falls Township supervisor (2002-09) and currently serving on the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority.

Cabanas, a resident of Falls Township, previously served as a Lancaster City representative to the Republican Party of Lancaster County before moving to Bucks County.

The 140th seat was vacated by the resignation of John Galloway, who became a magisterial district judge in Falls Township.