Results for: Pennsylvania Politics

In a crucial primary election in Pennsylvania, the state House’s highest-ranking Republican, Minority Leader Bryan Cutler, has emerged victorious over a formidable challenge from the right. The incumbent, Cutler, successfully defended his seat in the conservative 100th District, while his opponents, who criticized his bipartisan compromises, failed to gain significant traction with voters. Cutler’s victory, supported by party establishment figures, bucks the recent trend of anti-establishment sentiment within the GOP.

Elsewhere in the state, the Democratic establishment also prevailed with the ousting of state Rep. Kevin Boyle (D., Philadelphia), who has been absent from the Capitol due to mental health issues and faced arrest warrant before the election.

Other notable primary races included a close contest between incumbent Republican state Rep. Mike Cabell (R., Luzerne) and his challenger, conservative activist James Walsh, with Cabell’s fate yet to be determined at the time of reporting. In neighboring Lebanon County, former anti-establishment lawmaker Russ Diamond (R., Lebanon) fended off a well-funded challenge from school board member Rachel Moyer, despite his vocal criticism of former gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano.

Amidst these contests, voters also cast their ballots in a contentious Democratic primary in Allegheny County, where incumbent state Rep. Abigail Salisbury (D., Allegheny) faced a challenge backed by prominent progressive figures, including U.S. Rep. Summer Lee. Salisbury emerged victorious, while in a messy political district in West Philadelphia, incumbent state Rep. Amen Brown (D., Philadelphia) held a narrow lead in the primary race at the time of reporting.

Janelle Stelson, a former television anchor, has expressed her determination to hold U.S. Rep Scott Perry accountable for his role in supporting former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. She believes that Perry’s actions, particularly his opposition to the certification of Pennsylvania’s electoral college votes for President Biden, must be fully addressed. Stelson’s announcement has garnered attention and support from Democratic organizations nationwide, as they view her as a strong candidate to challenge Perry in the 2024 election. While Stelson has demonstrated fundraising ability and unity within her district, she faces a well-funded opponent in Perry, who has been an established incumbent for several years. The race is expected to be competitive, and Stelson still needs to prove herself on the national stage to secure support from key Democratic organizations.

Mark Houck, a pro-life activist acquitted of assaulting a Planned Parenthood volunteer, lost his bid to represent Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District. Had Houck won, Democrats would have highlighted his extreme anti-abortion views to portray the Republican candidate as a threat to reproductive rights. However, moderate Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, who opposes House-passed abortion restrictions, defeated Houck and will face Democrat Ashley Ehasz in the general election.

Pennsylvania’s top-ranking state House Republican, Bryan Cutler, withstood a formidable primary challenge from the right, while the Democratic establishment prevailed in ousting Northeast Philadelphia representative Kevin Boyle due to mental health concerns. Other House incumbents also faced tough primaries, with some emerging victorious and others awaiting results.

In a surprise upset, small business owner Erin McClelland has secured the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania treasurer in Tuesday’s primary election. McClelland triumphed over Ryan Bizzarro, receiving 56% of the vote despite lacking the endorsement of the state Democratic Party. On the Republican side, incumbent Stacy Garrity ran unopposed. The primary race for treasurer gained traction due to heated rhetoric and scrutiny over McClelland’s political fundraising reports. The Pennsylvania Treasury holds significant responsibilities, including managing over $150 billion in state funds and overseeing programs like unclaimed property and college savings. The upcoming November election is expected to intensify as Democrats aim to reclaim the row office lost in 2020.

Veteran incumbent Robert Freeman has seemingly fended off his first primary challenge in decades, triumphing over Taiba Sultana in the Democratic primary for the 136th District’s state representative seat. Freeman, a seasoned politician, has held the position for a substantial 38 non-consecutive years. However, this primary election witnessed a spirited challenge from Sultana, a 40-year-old Easton City Council member known for her diverse life experiences and advocacy for marginalized communities. Despite raising concerns about irregularities in Sultana’s nomination petitions, Freeman ultimately emerged victorious with an overwhelming vote advantage. The 136th District encompasses various municipalities, including Easton, Wilson, and parts of Palmer Township, Williams Township, and Lower Saucon. Freeman will face no Republican challenger in the upcoming general election.

Democratic State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta has secured victory in his primary race, setting the stage for a November showdown against incumbent Republican State Auditor General Timothy DeFoor. Kenyatta’s win also means he will retain his House seat. His victory came over Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, according to the Associated Press.

U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) has emerged victorious in the Republican primary election for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ. Fitzpatrick successfully defended his seat against a challenge from anti-abortion activist Mark Houck, who had faced accusations of assaulting a Planned Parenthood escort but was subsequently acquitted. The 1st District encompasses areas north of Philadelphia, including Bucks and Montgomery counties. Notably, despite President Biden carrying the district by over 4.5 points in 2020, it remains a competitive battleground for both Republicans and Democrats. Fitzpatrick will now face Democratic candidate Ashley Ehasz in the general election, a rematch of their previous contest where he prevailed by nearly 10 points. The Cook Political Report classifies Fitzpatrick’s seat as ‘likely Republican.’