Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.), a vocal critic of Israel’s war against Hamas, has defeated her centrist opponent in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary election. Lee, a member of the far-left ‘Squad’ of House lawmakers, bested fellow Democrat and Edgewood Borough Councilwoman Bhavini Patel in the 12th District primary by a 19-point margin. The contest served as an early test for how lawmakers that have expressed anti-Israel sentiments may fare against pro-Israel candidates in upcoming primaries.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have secured their respective party nominations in Pennsylvania’s primary election. Voters can expect extensive campaigning in the swing state over the next six months. In the high-stakes U.S. Senate contest, Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger David McCormick will face each other in a race likely to cost hundreds of millions of dollars and determine control of the Senate next year. The primary election also includes hotly contested races for attorney general, treasurer, auditor general, and congressional seats.
Pennsylvania’s Primary Day has concluded, with voters selecting candidates for president, the U.S. Senate, and the state’s attorney general. Despite being a presidential election year, voter turnout was reported to be low. Preliminary results for Allegheny County and Westmoreland County are available online. Notable results include Summer Lee’s strong performance in the U.S. House District 12 race, positioning her favorably for reelection.
Pennsylvania’s primary election, held on Tuesday, will determine the candidates for the November ballot in congressional and state races that could influence the national political landscape in 2024. The state’s closed primary system allows only registered Democrats and Republicans to vote. Key races to watch include the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate between Sen. Bob Casey and challenger David McCormick, and the Republican primary for U.S. House in the 12th Congressional District between Rep. Summer Lee and her challengers. Additionally, the race for Pennsylvania attorney general is fiercely contested, with multiple candidates from both parties vying for the position.
Pennsylvania voters will head to the polls on Tuesday for the state’s primary election, but local officials are anticipating low voter turnout. Despite being a presidential election year, both major party candidates have secured enough delegates to ensure their nominations, leading to a lack of enthusiasm among voters. In the early hours of voting, several polling places reported sparse turnout. However, some locations, such as Plum High School, initially appeared crowded due to teachers reporting for an in-service day while students were off. All affected households have received notifications of polling place changes, and voters can check their polling place using the state’s online tool.
