The polls are now closed on Tuesday night and the votes are being counted in two special elections that could affect the balance of power in the state House. Right now, Democrats hold 100 seats in the House, a slight edge over the 98 seats held by Republicans. There are five open seats right now and voters made decisions on two of those openings. Pennsylvania Democrats said they retained control of the state House of Representatives Tuesday night following special election victories by Ana Tiburcio in House District 22 (Lehigh County) and Jennifer Mazzocco in House District 42 (Allegheny County), as the party looks to carry momentum into November’s elections.Party points to 2025 wins and lays out November targetsDemocrats framed the results as a continuation of gains “up and down the ballot” in 2025 and previewed an aggressive 2026 agenda. Party leaders said their November goals include reelection bids for Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, as well as efforts to flip control of the Pennsylvania State Senate and win additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.Democrats sharpen contrast with Republicans on costs and Washington politicsIn a statement, Democrats criticized Pennsylvania Republicans’ alignment with Washington, D.C. politics and argued their own focus remains on affordability and “putting Pennsylvanians first.” The statement also took aim at state Treasurer Stacy Garrity and former President Donald Trump, describing national GOP priorities as benefiting billionaires through tax cuts.DePasquale: “2025 was just the beginning”Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Eugene DePasquale said the special election outcomes underscored growing support for Democrats across the Commonwealth.”Tonight’s victories demonstrate that 2025 was just the beginning as Pennsylvania Democrats continue building momentum across the Commonwealth,” DePasquale said. “This November, we are ready to win up and down the ballot, reelect Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis, flip the Pennsylvania State Senate and four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.”He also congratulated the winning candidates and thanked party organizations involved in the races.”I extend my congratulations to Representatives-elect Tiburco and Mazzocco, and I thank the House Democratic Campaign Committee, Lehigh County Democratic Committee, and the Allegheny County Democratic Committee for their hard work to ensure we retained control of these crucial seats,” he said.DePasquale added that he expects both incoming lawmakers to bring a community-focused approach to their new roles in Harrisburg.What comes nextWith the House majority intact, Democrats signaled they will use the special election results to fuel organizing and candidate recruitment ahead of November, while continuing to argue that their policy focus is lowering costs and improving affordability for Pennsylvania families.Special elections are scheduled for the other three open seats. The elections for a seat representing parts of Cumberland and York counties, and a seat representing Blair County, will happen on March 17. Another election for a seat representing part of York County will happen during the primary election on May 19.
The polls are now closed on Tuesday night and the votes are being counted in two special elections that could affect the balance of power in the state House.
Right now, Democrats hold 100 seats in the House, a slight edge over the 98 seats held by Republicans.
There are five open seats right now and voters made decisions on two of those openings.
Pennsylvania Democrats said they retained control of the state House of Representatives Tuesday night following special election victories by Ana Tiburcio in House District 22 (Lehigh County) and Jennifer Mazzocco in House District 42 (Allegheny County), as the party looks to carry momentum into November’s elections.
Party points to 2025 wins and lays out November targets
Democrats framed the results as a continuation of gains “up and down the ballot” in 2025 and previewed an aggressive 2026 agenda. Party leaders said their November goals include reelection bids for Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, as well as efforts to flip control of the Pennsylvania State Senate and win additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Democrats sharpen contrast with Republicans on costs and Washington politics
In a statement, Democrats criticized Pennsylvania Republicans’ alignment with Washington, D.C. politics and argued their own focus remains on affordability and “putting Pennsylvanians first.” The statement also took aim at state Treasurer Stacy Garrity and former President Donald Trump, describing national GOP priorities as benefiting billionaires through tax cuts.
DePasquale: “2025 was just the beginning”
Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Eugene DePasquale said the special election outcomes underscored growing support for Democrats across the Commonwealth.
“Tonight’s victories demonstrate that 2025 was just the beginning as Pennsylvania Democrats continue building momentum across the Commonwealth,” DePasquale said. “This November, we are ready to win up and down the ballot, reelect Governor Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Davis, flip the Pennsylvania State Senate and four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
He also congratulated the winning candidates and thanked party organizations involved in the races.
“I extend my congratulations to Representatives-elect Tiburco and Mazzocco, and I thank the House Democratic Campaign Committee, Lehigh County Democratic Committee, and the Allegheny County Democratic Committee for their hard work to ensure we retained control of these crucial seats,” he said.
DePasquale added that he expects both incoming lawmakers to bring a community-focused approach to their new roles in Harrisburg.
What comes next
With the House majority intact, Democrats signaled they will use the special election results to fuel organizing and candidate recruitment ahead of November, while continuing to argue that their policy focus is lowering costs and improving affordability for Pennsylvania families.
Special elections are scheduled for the other three open seats.
The elections for a seat representing parts of Cumberland and York counties, and a seat representing Blair County, will happen on March 17.
Another election for a seat representing part of York County will happen during the primary election on May 19.