Emilio Vazquez

Emilio Vazquez is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives who represented the 197th House district in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Emilio Vazquez
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 197th district
In office
April 5, 2017[1] – January 2, 2019
Preceded byLeslie Acosta
Succeeded byDanilo Burgos
Personal details
BornBrooklyn, New York
Political partyDemocratic
ResidencePhiladelphia

Political career

Vazquez was elected as a write-in candidate in a March 2017 special election to replace Leslie Acosta in Pennsylvania's 197th district. Acosta had resigned in January 2017 following her guilty plea to a fraud charge (the second recent state representative of the 197th district to do so), while the original Democratic candidate to succeed her was kicked off the ballot for not actually residing in the 197th district.[2] While Vazquez was sworn into office, this election is currently under investigation by the Philadelphia Attorney General's Office and Pennsylvania Attorney General.[3] Vazquez is also currently a defendant in a federal lawsuit regarding instances of widespread voter intimidation and election fraud for the election of which he was declared the winner. There is a possibility that the federal court could declare the election null and void and order an entirely new election.[4] Vazquez is a Democratic ward leader and Philadelphia Parking Authority employee.[5]

In the 2018 Democratic primary for his seat, Vazquez placed third, losing to former City Council aide Danilo Burgos. Burgos is the current Representative for Pennsylvania's 197th district.[6]

Election results
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 197 special election, 2017
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Emilio Vazquez (write-in) 1,972 73.20
Green Cheri Honkala (write-in) 286 10.62
Republican Lucinda Little 201 7.46
Write-in 235 8.72
Total votes 2,694 100.00
Democratic hold
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 197, Democratic Primary Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Danilo Burgos 1,296 37.17
Democratic Frederick Ramirez 1,199 34.38
Democratic Emilio Vazquez 992 28.45
Total votes 3,487 100.00

References
  1. Brennan, Chris. "Vazquez sworn in for 197th District seat as investigation, lawsuit loom". philly.com.
  2. "As the 197th Turns: Decision Day Draws Near For Special Election Chock Full of Residency Hearings, Felonies, Write-In Candidates, Threats, Vandalism and PA Supreme Court Rulings –". Spirit News. 2017-03-15. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
  3. "Welcome | Philadelphia Magazine". Phillymag.com. 2017-03-30. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
  4. "Honkala will sue to void 197th election, alleging 'massive fraud and misconduct'". PhillyVoice. 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
  5. Brian Hickey (24 March 2017). "Honkala on 197th election drama: 'It's all an inside job'". PhillyVoice. Retrieved 2017-03-25.
  6. "Representative Danilo Burgos".
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