Jamie Walsh Wins Republican Nomination for Pennsylvania 117th House District
Jose Nino
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Jamie Walsh is the apparent winner of Pennsylvania State House District 117’s Republican primary. Walsh came out victorious against incumbent Mike Cabell following the casting of 12 provisional ballots at polling sites in the April 23 primary that were finally opened and tallied on July 12, 2024.
The Luzerne County Board of Elections carried out a special meeting to tabulate the ballots, which had been put to the side, unopened, since they were challenged throughout the election board’s ballot adjudication process after the primary.
Heading into the meeting, Walsh was ahead of Cabell by just three votes, 4,728 to 4,725, per unofficial returns.
After the final ballots were counted, Walsh was ahead by five votes, 4,735 to 4,730, having picked up 77 of the 12 votes counted on July 12.
Following the county website’s move to publish the vote results, Walsh gave his thanks to the election board, election bureau, and office of law for their diligence during and after the primary election.
“I feel elated,” Walsh declared. “I’m glad the process is over.”
Although Walsh is the apparent winner of the nomination, part of the process is still not over.
Cabell announced on July 12 he is flirting with the option to petition the county court for a recount “to ensure every vote is accurately counted and every voice is heard.” The Republican incumbent is looking to get re-elected for a second term.
If he opts to pursue a recount, Cabell would have to submit a petition signed by at least three voters from all of the 40 precincts within the 117th District.
Cabell also announced that he will appeal a Commonwealth Court order concerning write-in votes in the primary to the state Supreme Court.
A three-judge Commonwealth Court panel threw out Cabell’s request to order that write-in votes be cumulated, even the votes casted for a candidate whose name is on the ballot.
“Our campaign remains steadfast in pursuing a fair and accurate election result,” Cabell declared in a news release.
With Walsh winning, the Pennsylvania State House will get a pro-liberty member within its ranks. Hopefully, more pro-liberty Republicans start taking over governing institutions in the Keystone State.
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