State Dems Claim Trifecta. This is the PoliticsPA Playbook.
Oh! What a Night. Shapiro Wins Second Term As Governor. It’s A Democratic Trifecta. Blue Wave Erodes Margins in GOP Strongholds.
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What We’re Hearing. “We got the power now, the House, the Senate. We have to deliver.” – Gov. Josh Shapiro
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Top Story
“Josh Shapiro won a second term as governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on Tuesday night, defeating his Republican opponent State Treasurer Stacy Garrity. He became the fifth consecutive Democratic governor to win a second term in Pennsylvania.
“Pennsylvania, with your vision and your votes, you declared that we are ready to keep getting stuff done and moving this Commonwealth forward. Tonight, you declared that we are ready to keep delivering results — and that we reject the chaos, cruelty, and corruption in Washington, D.C.,” said Shapiro.”” | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
Democrats Win the US House and Senate As Voters Deliver a Strong Rebuke to Trump and Republicans. “Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, delivering a decisive rebuke of Republican governance in Washington and ushering in a new era of congressional resistance to President Donald Trump.” | AP
Bob Harvie Stuns Brian Fitzpatrick in 1st Congressional District. “For 12 years, Republican Brian Fitzpatrick has crafted a unique position in Pennsylvania politics, winning six terms in the deeply-purple district that is Bucks County. On Tuesday night, voters decided on a change, electing Bucks County commissioner Bob Harvie to the 1st Congressional District seat over Fitzpatrick.” | PoliticsPA
Bob Brooks Ousts Ryan Mackenzie in Lehigh Valley Congressional Contest. “Professional fire fighter Bob Brooks made his first political campaign a successful one, ousting Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie. Brooks, who defeated three challengers in a spring primary to earn the Democratic nomination, rode his blue-collar roots past the freshman representative, who defeated Susan Wild by just over 4,000 votes two years ago.” | PoliticsPA
Paige Cognetti Defeats Rob Bresnahan for NEPA Congressional Seat. “The mayor of Scranton made history on Tuesday night as Paige Cognetti defeated Republican Rob Bresnahan to win the 8th Congressional District seat. No mayor of the Electric City has moved onto a higher national political position since the early 1900s.” | PoliticsPA
Second Time A Charm For Janelle Stelson Who Turns Out Scott Perry in PA-10. “Two years ago, Democrat Janelle Stelson fell short by just 5,133 votes. Her stated goal was to find at least one more in 2026. The former broadcast journalist was successful in her quest, turning out Republican Scott Perry to win the 10th Congressional District seat.” | PoliticsPA
State
“For the first time in 33 years, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party has all three levers of state government, holding onto the governor’s office and the majority in the State House, while also flipping the State Senate.
It was one of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s stated goals during his campaign and his coattails provided a boost for insurgent candidates to oust Republican incumbents.
State Democrats have claimed victory and trifecta, while the AP has yet to make calls on two races – the 16th and 40th Senatorial Districts” | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
State Senate Race Update. SD-16: Mark Pinsley (D) 51.13%, Jarrett Coleman 48.87%. SD-40: Brian Wrightson (D) 51.43%, Rosemary Brown (R) 48.57%.
Gov. Josh Shapiro Cruised to Reelection in Pennsylvania. Now the Real Campaign Begins. “A more substantial test of Shapiro’s strength was still to come Tuesday, as he’s staked his reputation on helping Democrats win up and down the ballot. The move could bolster his national standing at a time when the Democratic Party searches for a new leader to carry it into the post-Trump era.” | Philadelphia Inquirer
Should Shapiro Run For President? Here’s What His Neighbors Said at the Polls. “Many voters at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s predominantly Democratic polling place on Tuesday said they like him as a person and a politician — and would elect him president should he choose to run in 2028.” | Philadelphia Inquirer
Democrats Win Reelection in Southeast PA. A good night for Dems as Brendan Boyle, Madeleine Dean, Mary Gay Scanlon, and Chrissy Houlahan all won another term in Washington.
Around The Commonwealth
“Incumbents have held onto their seats in a dozen of Pennsylvania’s congressional districts, leaving the state’s delegation favoring Democrats by 11-6 due to four “toss-ups” among at least 25 seats the party flipped across the country.
Thirteen seats in the commonwealth were considered safe. But races in those districts held by Republicans were closer than the last midterm election in 2022, according to an analysis of results by the Capital-Star. The analysis didn’t include two districts – the 13th and 14th – where Republican incumbents John Joyce and Guy Reschenthaler ran unopposed in 2022.” | Penn Capital-Star
Elsewhere
Meuser Secures Reelection in 9th Congressional District Race. “Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser was reelected for a fifth term in the 9th Congressional district against Democratic challenger Rachel Wallace, according to unofficial election results.” | WVIA
PA-11: U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker Reelected to 6th Term. “U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker was reelected Tuesday to the Republican-friendly 11th District seat. He will serve a sixth term in Congress after defeating Democratic challenger Nancy Mannion by earning 55% of the vote as of 11:30 p.m.” | LNP
Lee and Deluzio Win Reelection in Pennsylvania. “Although U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio won his last reelection bid over then-state Rep. Rob Mercuri in 2024, he didn’t get a chance then to celebrate the result with supporters: The union hall where he held his election-night celebration was set to close at midnight, and results from polls in Beaver County weren’t posted in time.” | WESA
Republican Incumbents Win Reelection in Pennsylvania’s 13th and 15th U.S. House Districts. “Republican incumbents John Joyce and Glenn “GT” Thompson both won reelection in the 13th and 15th districts, respectively.” | WPSU
Reschenthaler Reelected to 5th Term in 14th District. “U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler will return to Washington to serve a fifth term in Congress representing residents across six southwestern Pennsylvania counties.” | Tribune-Review
Congressman Mike Kelly Wins Reelection in Pennsylvania’s 16th District. “U.S. Rep Mike Kelly, the second longest-tenured congressman in Pennsylvania, defeated Democratic challenger Justin Wagner on Tuesday night to win a ninth term.” | Tribune-Review
Editorial
1 Thing
“CVS Health plans to split into two separate public companies by the first half 2028, in what would be one of the largest corporate splits in history, the company announced Wednesday.
The move would reverse the company’s massive $78 billion acquisition of its insurer, Aetna, and dismantle the vertically integrated healthcare conglomerate it created in 2018. The plan would specifically separate CVS’s roughly 9,000 retail pharmacies from its major insurance business and pharmacy benefit manager, Caremark, one of the nation’s three largest PBMs.” | CNBC
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Thank you to all election officials. You’re the real heroes of Election Day.
