Pennsylvania Dems win big, taking state House and Senate
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Democrats won control of the Pennsylvania Senate and retained the state House, giving reelected Gov. Josh Shapiro's party full control of state government, the Associated Press projects.
Why it matters: Democrats will have their first trifecta in state government since 1993, opening the door to priorities that repeatedly stalled under divided government.
The big picture: The victories are a major win for Dems — but especially Shapiro.
- He raised money for down-ballot races and campaigned statewide for Democrats.
- The results will likely boost his national standing as he weighs a potential 2028 presidential campaign.
Between the lines: Tuesday's election was a remarkable turnaround for state Republicans only two years after Pennsylvania backed Donald Trump in the presidential election and the GOP swept three statewide offices.
In the Senate: Democrats will hold 26 seats in the Senate to Republicans' 24, the AP projects.
- Going into the election, the Senate was 27 Republicans and 23 Democrats. (Only 25 of its 50 seats were on Tuesday's ballot.)
In the House: Democrats will hold at least a 111-88 majority, with a handful of seats still undecided, the AP projects.
- All 203 seats were on the ballot.
- Democrats entered the election with a 103-100 majority.
Flashback: Pennsylvania last saw a trifecta in state government — where one party controlled the governor's mansion and the state House and Senate — in 2011-14, when Republicans were in power.
Reality check: With great power comes great expectations, and unified party control doesn't guarantee agreement.
- Dems will face intense pressure to make good on long-held promises, including:
- 🌿 Legalizing recreational cannabis.
- 💰 Raising the minimum wage.
- 🚇 Boosting public transit funding.
Meanwhile, state Dems are facing their own battle between their moderate and progressive wings for the party's future.
What they're saying: State Democratic Party chair Eugene DePasquale said in a released statement that Dems are ready to work with Shapiro to raise the minimum wage, codify reproductive rights and put policies in place to make housing more affordable.