Melanie Bidlingmaier, chief of staff to Rep. John Galloway (D-Bucks), has announced her plans to run for his soon-to-be-vacated seat in the Pennsylvania House.

Galloway was elected Magisterial District Judge in Falls Township earlier this month and is planning to resign his seat in the House on December 15.

Bidlingmaier announce she has taken a leave of absence from the legislature and will run for her supervisor’s seat as a Democrat in a likely mid-winter special election.

She cited her experience as a legislative aide and community volunteer, as well as her strong commitment to protecting a woman’s right to choose as motivations for her campaign.

“I know what it’s like to be out of work, out of health insurance, and struggling to make ends
meet,” said Bidlingmaier. “Earlier in my life, as a single mother with two kids, I worked two and
sometimes three jobs to provide for my family. Harrisburg forgets about people who have
stories like mine. The residents of Lower Bucks County deserve a voice in the legislature who
understands their struggles.”

Bidlingmaier also noted strong support from Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia in her decision to run for office.

“We need a woman in the legislature who understands our struggles and will protect a woman’s right to choose,” said Ellis-Marseglia. “I am proud to endorse Melanie’s campaign for state representative. We need her in Harrisburg.”

Bidlingmaier, the wife of attorney Keith Bidlingmaier and mother of four, collaborated with Galloway in initiating the Bucks County Crime Stoppers and the Push Out The Pusher Program and served as the volunteer executive director of the organization.

Bidlingmaier is the second Democrat to announce her candidacy for the seat, joining Donna Petrecco. The 140th District includes Falls and Middletown Townships, as well as the boroughs of Morrisville and Tullytown. The race will be closely watched as Galloway’s resignation will leave the state House in a 101-101 deadlock for the majority (again).