Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district explained

State:	Pennsylvania
District Number:	6
Image Caption:	Interactive map of district boundaries since January 3, 2023 (Chester County outlined in red)
Representative:	Chrissy Houlahan
Party:	Democratic
Residence:	Devon
Distribution Ref:	^[1]
Population:	777,885^[2]
Population Year:	2023
Median Income:	$102,246^[3]
Percent White:	69.2
Percent Hispanic:	16.4
Percent Black:	5.4
Percent Asian:	5.1
Percent More Than One Race:	3.3
Percent Other Race:	0.5
Cpvi:	D+5^[4]

Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district is a district in the state of Pennsylvania. It includes all of Chester County and the southeastern portion of Berks County including the city of Reading and its southeastern suburbs. The district is represented by Democrat Chrissy Houlahan, who has served in Congress since 2019. As currently drawn, the district is among the wealthiest in Pennsylvania. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania redrew the district in February 2018 after ruling the previous map unconstitutional.^[5]

Jim Gerlach served as the district's Representative from 2003 to 2014. In 2004 and 2006, Gerlach won re-election against fellow attorney and now Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Judge Lois Murphy. In 2008, he successfully ran for re-election against businessman and veteran Bob Roggio. In the 2010 and 2012 elections, Gerlach defeated physician and Iraq War veteran Manan Trivedi, the Democratic nominee.

In January 2014, Gerlach announced that he would not stand for reelection to the 114th Congress. In the race to succeed Gerlach, Chester County Commissioner Ryan Costello won the Republican nomination and physician and Iraq war veteran Manan Trivedi secured the Democratic party's nomination.^[6]

In February 2018, following the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania's ordered redrawing of congressional districts, Costello announced he would not stand for reelection and retire at the end of the 115th Congress, leaving businessman Greg McCauley as the sole Republican candidate while the Democrats nominated Air Force veteran Chrissy Houlahan.^[7] Houlahan defeated McCauley in the general election.^[8]

Recent statewide election results

Year	Office	Results
2002	Representative	align=right	Gerlach 51.4–48.6%
2004	President	align=right	Kerry 52–48%
	Representative	align=right	Gerlach 51–49%
2006	Representative	align=right	Gerlach 50.7–49.3%
2008	President	align=right	Obama 58–41%
	Representative	align=right	Gerlach 52.1–47.9%
2010	Representative	align=right	Gerlach 57.1–42.9%
2012	President	align=right	Romney 50.6–48.1%
	Representative	align=right	Gerlach 57.1–42.9%
2014	Representative	align=right	Costello 56.3–43.7%
2016	President	align=right	Clinton 47.6–47.0%
	Representative	align=right	Costello 57.3–42.7%
2018	Representative	align=right	Houlahan 58.8–41.1%
2020	President	align=right	Biden 56.9–41.9%
	Representative	align=right	Houlahan 56.1–43.9%
2022	Governor	align=right	Shapiro 61–37%
	Senate	align=right	Fetterman 56–41%
2024	[|Representative | align=right {{Party shading/Democratic}} | [[Chrissy Houlahan|Houlahan]] 56–43%|} Geography 2003 to 2012 Prior to the court-ordered redistricting, the 6th district's incarnation dated back to 2002. Its strange shape brought charges of gerrymandering by Democrats who argued it "looms like a dragon descending on Philadelphia from the west, splitting up towns and communities throughout Montgomery and Berks Counties."^[9] The combination of very affluent suburban areas of Philadelphia and sparsely populated rural areas was possibly designed to capture Republican voters, but changes in voting patterns in southeastern Pennsylvania has made the district much more competitive. The district had a Cook Partisan Voting Index score of R+1 after the 2012 redistricting. It was rated D+4 before then.^[10] The district included parts of Montgomery County, Chester County, Berks County and Lehigh County. The largest cities in the district were Reading and Norristown. 2013 to 2018 The redistricting of 2011/2012 changed it to include parts of Chester, Montgomery, Berks and Lebanon counties. The following municipalities constituted the sixth district:^[11] Berks County Chester County Lebanon County Montgomery County 2019 The court-ordered map made the 6th a more compact district in Berks and Chester counties. List of members representing the district 1791–1793: one seat District created in 1791 from the . Representative Party Years Cong ress Electoral history District first established March 4, 1791 align=left Andrew Gregg Anti-Administration nowrap March 4, 1791 – March 3, 1793 Elected in 1791. Redistricted to the . District redistricted in 1793 to the . 1795–1823: one seat, then two District created in 1795. Cong ress Years Seat A Seat B Representative Party Electoral history Representative Party Electoral history nowrap March 4, 1795 – March 3, 1797 align=left Samuel Maclay Democratic-Republican Elected in 1794. Lost re-election. Second seat added in 1813 nowrap March 4, 1797 – March 3, 1803 align=left John A. Hanna Democratic-Republican Elected in 1796. Re-elected in 1798. Re-elected in 1800. Redistricted to the . nowrap March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1805 align=left John Stewart Democratic-Republican Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1802. Lost re-election. nowrap March 4, 1805 – March 3, 1809 align=left James Kelly Federalist Elected in 1804. Re-elected in 1806. Lost re-election. nowrap March 4, 1809 – March 3, 1813 align=left William Crawford Democratic-Republican Elected in 1808. Re-elected in 1810. Redistricted to the . nowrap March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1815 Samuel D. Ingham Democratic-Republican Elected in 1812. Re-elected in 1814. Re-elected in 1816. Resigned. align=left Robert Brown Democratic-Republican Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1812. Re-elected in 1814. Retired. nowrap March 4, 1815 – March 3, 1817 John Ross Democratic-Republican Elected in 1814. Re-elected in 1816. Resigned to become president judge of the seventh judicial district of Pennsylvania. nowrap March 4, 1817 – February 24, 1818 nowrap February 24, 1818 – March 3, 1818 Vacant nowrap March 3, 1818 – July 6, 1818 Thomas Jones Rogers Democratic-Republican Elected to finish Ross's term. Also elected 1818 to the next term. Re-elected in 1820. Redistricted to the . nowrap July 6, 1818 – October 13, 1818 Vacant nowrap October 13, 1818 – March 3, 1819 Samuel Moore Democratic-Republican Elected to finish Ingham's term. Also elected 1818 to the next term. Re-elected in 1820. Resigned. nowrap March 4, 1819 – March 3, 1821 nowrap March 4, 1821 – May 20, 1822 nowrap May 20, 1822 – October 7, 1822 Vacant nowrap October 7, 1822 – March 3, 1823 align=left Samuel D. Ingham Democratic-Republican Elected to finish Moore's term. Redistricted to the . 1823 – present: one seat Member Party Years Cong ress Electoral history Robert Harris Jackson Democratic-Republican nowrap March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1825 Elected in 1822. Re-elected in 1824. Retired. Jacksonian nowrap March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1827 align=left Innis Green Jacksonian nowrap March 4, 1827 – March 3, 1831 Elected in 1826. Re-elected in 1828. Retired. align=left John C. Bucher Jacksonian nowrap March 4, 1831 – March 3, 1833 Elected in 1830. Redistricted to the . align=left Robert Ramsey Jacksonian nowrap March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1835 Elected in 1832. Retired. Mathias Morris Anti-Jacksonian nowrap March 4, 1835 – March 3, 1837 Elected in 1834. Re-elected in 1836. Lost re-election. Whig nowrap March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1839 align=left John Davis Democratic nowrap March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841 Elected in 1838. Lost re-election. align=left Robert Ramsey Whig nowrap March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843 Elected in 1840. Retired. align=left Michael H. Jenks Whig nowrap March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845 Elected in 1843. Lost re-election. align=left Jacob Erdman Democratic nowrap March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1847 Elected in 1844. Lost re-election. align=left John Westbrook Hornbeck Whig nowrap March 4, 1847 – January 16, 1848 Elected in 1846. Died. Vacant nowrap January 17, 1848 – March 5, 1848 align=left Samuel A. Bridges Democratic nowrap March 6, 1848 – March 3, 1849 Elected to finish Hornbeck's term. Retired. align=left Thomas Ross Democratic nowrap March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853 Elected in 1848. Re-elected in 1850. align=left William Everhart Whig nowrap March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 Elected in 1852. John Hickman Democratic nowrap March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1859 Elected in 1854. Re-elected in 1856. Re-elected in 1858. Re-elected in 1860. Anti-Lecompton Democratic nowrap March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861 Republican nowrap March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863 align=left John D. Stiles Democratic nowrap March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1865 Elected in 1862. align=left Benjamin M. Boyer Democratic nowrap March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1869 Elected in 1864. Re-elected in 1866. Retired. align=left John D. Stiles Democratic nowrap March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1871 Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1868. Retired. align=left Ephraim L. Acker Democratic nowrap March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873 Elected in 1870. Lost re-election. align=left James S. Biery Republican nowrap March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875 Elected in 1872. Retired. align=left Washington Townsend Republican nowrap March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877 Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1874. Retired. align=left William Ward Republican nowrap March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1883 Elected in 1876. Re-elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Retired. align=left James B. Everhart Republican nowrap March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1887 Elected in 1882. Re-elected in 1884. Lost renomination. align=left Smedley Darlington Republican nowrap March 4, 1887 – March 3, 1891 Elected in 1886. Re-elected in 1888. Retired. align=left John B. Robinson Republican nowrap March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1897 Elected in 1890. Re-elected in 1892. Re-elected in 1894. Lost re-election. Thomas S. Butler Independent Republican nowrap March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1899 Elected in 1896. Re-elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Republican nowrap March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1903 align=left George D. McCreary Republican nowrap March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1913 Elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Retired. align=left J. Washington Logue Democratic nowrap March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915 Elected in 1912. Lost re-election. align=left George P. Darrow Republican nowrap March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1923 Elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Redistricted to the . align=left George A. Welsh Republican nowrap March 4, 1923 – May 31, 1932 Elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Resigned to become a district court judge. Vacant nowrap May 31, 1932 – November 8, 1932 align=left Robert L. Davis Republican nowrap November 8, 1932 – March 3, 1933 Elected to finish Welsh's term. align=left Edward L. Stokes Republican nowrap March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1935 Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1932. Retired to run for Governor. align=left Michael J. Stack Democratic nowrap January 3, 1935 – January 3, 1939 Elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Lost renomination and lost re-election under a different party. align=left Francis J. Myers Democratic nowrap January 3, 1939 – January 3, 1945 Elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. align=left Herbert J. McGlinchey Democratic nowrap January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1947 Elected in 1944. Lost re-election. align=left Hugh Scott Republican nowrap January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1959 Elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. align=left Herman Toll Democratic nowrap January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1963 Elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Redistricted to the . align=left George M. Rhodes Democratic nowrap January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1969 Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Retired. align=left Gus Yatron Democratic nowrap January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1993 Elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Retired. align=left Tim Holden Democratic nowrap January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2003 Elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Redistricted to the . align=left Jim Gerlach Republican nowrap January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2015 Elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Retired. align=left Ryan Costello Republican nowrap January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019 Elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired. align=left Chrissy Houlahan Democratic nowrap January 3, 2019 – present Elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. Recent election results 2022 See also List of United States congressional districts Pennsylvania's congressional districts References Book: Martis, Kenneth C. . The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress . 1989 . Macmillan Publishing Company . New York. Book: Martis, Kenneth C. . The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts . 1982 . Macmillan Publishing Company . New York. Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present External links Congressional redistricting in Pennsylvania 40.0603°N -75.6408°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Congressional Districts Relationship Files (State-based) - Geography - U.S. Census Bureau. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130402141525/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/cd_state.html . April 2, 2013 .
2. Web site: My Congressional District.
3. https://www.census.gov/mycd/?st=42&cd=06 "Congressional District 6 (118th Congress), Pennsylvania" (under "Socio-Economic" header)
4. Web site: 2022 Cook PVI: District Map and List. 2023-01-10. The Cook Political Report. July 12, 2022 . en.
5. News: The New Pennsylvania House Districts Are In. We Review the Mapmakers' Choices. . . The Upshot . February 19, 2018 . February 20, 2018 . Nate . Cohn . Matthew . Bloch . Kevin . Quealy .
6. Web site: Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District elections, 2014 - Ballotpedia.
7. Web site: These 6 Pennsylvania Democratic nominees are key to the battle for House control. Prokop. Andrew. 2018-05-16. Vox. 2019-01-04.
8. Web site: Democrat Chrissy Houlahan elected to House in Pennsylvania. Burke. Michael. 2018-11-06. The Hill. en. 2019-01-04.
9. VIETH et al. v. JUBELIRER, PRESIDENT OF THE PENNSYLVANIA SENATE, et al., 541 U.S. 267 (United States Supreme Court 2004) (see http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=000&invol=02-1580) (plurality opinion of Court holding political gerrymandering claims in the District nonjusticiable based on the lack of workable standards)
10. Web site: 2012 COMPETITIVE HOUSE RACE CHART. The Cook Political Report. March 27, 2012.
11. Web site: Municipalities Congressman Ryan Costello. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160907005408/https://costello.house.gov/about/municipalities . September 7, 2016 .