Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district

Recent election results from statewide races

History

From 2003 to 2013 the district included suburbs of Pittsburgh as well as Beaver County, Lawrence County, and Mercer County. The district had a slight Democratic registration edge, although it had voted for Republicans in several federal elections over the 2000s decade, including for President George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, as well as Lynn Swann for governor in 2006. The heart of the district was a string of mostly white and middle class suburbs. Plum and Murrysville, two large and mainly residential boroughs, are the main towns in the suburban portion of the district that lies to the east of the city. Also included were the many suburban areas that make up northern Allegheny County and southern Butler County, Pennsylvania, including the larger communities of McCandless and Franklin Park, as well as several exclusive suburbs that have long been home to Pittsburgh's old money elite, including Fox Chapel and Sewickley. The northern suburbs had a generally moderate voting populace, which trends Democratic but makes up the swing vote, especially in races for national office. Further north, the district took on a different character. The suburban areas of Beaver County are somewhat less affluent and were heavily labor Democratic. The areas of Lawrence County and Mercer County had a more rural feel, but also had a union Democrat center within the city of New Castle.

This district changed drastically when Pennsylvania's new districts went into effect on January 3, 2013. Due to slower population growth than the nation as a whole, Pennsylvania lost a seat in Congress in reapportionment following the 2010 United States census, and this seat was effectively eliminated. Most of the 4th district was merged into a redrawn 12th district, and the previous 19th district was rebranded as the 4th. Thus from 2013 to 2018, the 4th district was located in south-central Pennsylvania and included all of Adams and York counties, as well as parts of Cumberland and Dauphin counties. During this time, the district was represented by Republican Scott Perry.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania redrew the state's congressional districts in February 2018 after ruling the previous map unconstitutional due to gerrymandering. The fourth district was reconfigured as a Democratic-leaning area to the northwest of Philadelphia for the 2018 election and representation thereafter. Geographically, it is the successor to the old 13th district, which was represented at the time by Democrat Brendan Boyle. Boyle, however, opted to run in the neighboring 2nd district, the geographic successor to the 1st district, represented by retiring incumbent Bob Brady. The bulk of Perry's representation, including York and Harrisburg, became part of a redrawn 10th district. Gettysburg and Adams County joined a new, heavily Republican 13th district, which was the successor to the old 9th district of retiring Congressman Bill Shuster. Areas to the south and east of York joined Lancaster in a redrawn, heavily Republican 11th district, the successor of Republican Lloyd Smucker's 16th district.

Counties and municipalities

; Berks County (32) : Alsace Township, Amity Township, Bally, Bechtelsville, Bern Township, Boyertown, Colebrookdale Township, District Township, Douglass Township, Earl Township, Exeter Township (part; also 6th) Fleetwood, Greenwich Township, Hereford Township, Kutztown, Laureldale, Leesport, Lenhartsville, Longswamp Township, Lower Heidelberg Township (part; also 9th), Lyons, Maidencreek Township, Maxatawny Township, Muhlenberg Township, Oley Township, Ontelaunee Township, Perry Township (part; also 9th), Pike Township, Richmond Township, Rockland Township, Ruscombmanor Township, Topton, Washington Township

;Montgomery County (45) : Abington Township, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham Township, Collegeville, Conshohocken, Douglass Township, East Norriton, Green Lane, Hatboro, Horsham Township (part; also 1st; includes part of Horsham CDP and Maple Glen), Jenkintown, Lansdale, Limerick Township, Lower Frederick Township, Lower Gwynedd Township, Lower Merion Township (part; also 5th; includes Bala Cynwyd and part of Merion Station), Lower Moreland Township, Lower Pottsgrove Township, Lower Providence Township, New Hanover Township, North Wales, Perkiomen Township, Plymouth Township, Pottstown, Rockledge, Royersford, Schwenksville, Skippack Township, Springfield Township, Towamencin Township, Trappe, Upper Dublin Township, Upper Frederick Township, Upper Gwynedd Township, Upper Merion Township (part; also 5th; includes part of King of Prussia), Upper Moreland Township, Upper Pottsgrove Township, Upper Providence Township, Upper Salford Township, West Conshohocken, West Norriton Township, West Pottsgrove Township, Whitemarsh Township, Whitpain Township, Worcester Township

List of members representing the district

The district was organized from the in 1791

1791–1793: one seat

1795–1813: two seats

1813–1823: one seat

1823–1843: three seats

1843–present: one seat

Recent elections

References

• Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present

References

1. "My Congressional District: Congressional District 4 (119th Congress), Pennsylvania".
2. (April 3, 2025). "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)".
3. "Dra 2020".
4. "2022 PA Statewides by CD".
5. (February 19, 2018). "The New Pennsylvania House Districts Are In. We Review the Mapmakers' Choices.". The New York Times.
6. "CNN Elections Results 2006".
7. (November 4, 2008). "2008 General Election: Representative in Congress". Pennsylvania Department of State.
8. (November 2, 2010). "2010 General Election: Representative in Congress". Pennsylvania Department of State.
9. "2020 Presidential Election – Representative in Congress".
10. "2022 General Election Official Returns - Representative in Congress".
11. "2024 General Election Official Returns - Representative in Congress".