1978Final results
1978 election for Pennsylvania's 17th District
U.S. House · Pennsylvania
Allen E. Ertel (D) won with 59.6% of the vote, defeating Thomas Richard Rippon (R) by 19.3 points.
Allen E. ErtelDemocrat · winner
59.6%79,234
Thomas Richard RipponRepublican
40.4%53,613
132,847 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1978
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET