William G. Stinson
| William G. Stinson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 2nd district | |
|
In office November 18, 1993[1] – February 18, 1994[1] | |
| Preceded by | Francis Lynch |
| Succeeded by | Bruce Marks |
| Constituency | Part of Philadelphia |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
William G. Stinson (born circa 1945)[2] is a former Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate. He was elected to represent the 2nd senatorial district in the Pennsylvania Senate in a 1993 special election.[1]
However, Federal District Judge Clarence C. Newcomer declared him the loser of that election after finding that Stinson had engaged in election fraud[3][4] and ordered Stinson's Republican opponent, Bruce S. Marks, be seated in his stead. The latter took office on April 28, 1994.[5]
The fraud was conducted using absentee ballots, often in the names of deceased people. The decision was notable because it shifted control of the state Senate from the Democratic party to the Republican party. the first time such an event had occurred at the order of a federal judge.[6]
References
- 1 2 3 Cox, Harold (2004). "Pennsylvania Senate – 1993–1994" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
- ↑ "Vote-Fraud Ruling Shifts Pennsylvania Senate". The New York Times. February 19, 1994.
- ↑ "Court Lets Vote Fraud Order Stand". The Washington Post. January 18, 1995.
- ↑ "U.S. HIGH COURT LETS VOTE REVERSAL STAND THE SECOND DISTRICT CASE WAS THE FIRST IN WHICH A FEDERAL JUDGE HAD REVERSED AN ELECTION OUTCOME.". Philadelphia Inquirer. January 18, 1995.
- ↑ Cox, Harold (2004). "Legislatures – 1776–2004". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
- ↑ Vote Fraud Ruling Shifts Pennsylvania Senate New York Times, February 19, 1994