William G. Stinson (born circa 1945)[2] is an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 2nd district from 1993 to 1994. 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 Marks, be seated in his stead. The latter took office on April 28, 1994.[5]

William G. Stinson
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 2nd district
In office
November 18, 1993[1] – February 18, 1994[1]
Preceded byFrancis Lynch
Succeeded byBruce Marks
ConstituencyPart of Philadelphia
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic

The decision was notable because it shifted control of the state Senate from the Democratic party to the Republican party.[6]

It was the first time such an event had occurred at the order of a federal judge.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Cox, Harold (2004). "Pennsylvania Senate – 1993–1994" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
  2. ^ "Vote-Fraud Ruling Shifts Pennsylvania Senate". The New York Times. February 19, 1994.
  3. ^ "Court Lets Vote Fraud Order Stand". The Washington Post. January 18, 1995.
  4. ^ "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". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 18, 1995.
  5. ^ Cox, Harold (2004). "Legislatures – 1776–2004". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.
  6. ^ "William G. Stinson". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  7. ^ Vote Fraud Ruling Shifts Pennsylvania Senate New York Times, February 19, 1994