Listen to article \u2022\u00a00:00 min<\/p>\n
In the country\u2019s premiere battleground state, Pennsylvania Democrats<\/a> believe they\u2019re in striking distance of a tidal wave victories that would dramatically shift the balance of power in both Washington and Harrisburg. <\/p>\n For the first time in decades, the party could take full control of the legislature. That would give Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro<\/a> \u2014 seeking reelection with a wide polling gap<\/a> on his Republican challenger Stacy Garrity<\/a> \u2014 significantly more power to shape the direction of the state as he potentially pursues a White House bid in 2028<\/a>. <\/p>\n Democrats also see a chance to flip four congressional seats and take control of the U.S. House. Republicans<\/a>, meanwhile, are prioritizing defending the Pennsylvania seats with their House majority on the line as President Donald Trump<\/a>, who won the state just two years ago, sinks in popularity<\/a>.<\/p>\n The path for power in Washington in the high-stakes midterms runs through Pennsylvania and its results will be closely watched as both parties prepare for a presidential race in two years when the state promises to play a pivotal role. <\/p>\n Voters across Pennsylvania will head to the polls in November to cast their ballots for races that will decide the balance of power in the state and nation.<\/p>\n Here are the races to watch and how to vote.<\/p>\n Shapiro\u2019s November could dictate his 2028<\/p>\n Democratic Gov. Shapiro, widely viewed as a likely contender for the 2028 presidency, has big ambitions this fall when he\u2019ll stand for reelection against Garrity, the state\u2019s treasurer. <\/p>\n More than just securing his own reelection, Shapiro hopes to run up the margin high and carry downballot Democrats across the finish line. <\/p>\n Another double-digits win and a string of coattail victories would be a show of strength about his ability to perform in a key swing state that his party lost in the last presidential election. In a presidential primary, Shapiro could use that result to make an argument that he\u2019s strong general election candidate who can boost the Democratic brand at a time of historic distaste.<\/p>\n Two months out from the election, all signs point to a Shapiro win. He holds a historically large campaign war chest <\/a>and a commanding 55-39% lead in the race against Garrity, according to a recent Philadelphia Inquirer\/New York Times\/Siena University poll<\/a>. <\/p>\n Garrity, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump<\/a>, broke the record in 2024 for the most number of votes<\/a> received by a candidate running for state-level office in Pennsylvania. But support from the national GOP establishment has been limited<\/a>, and as she faces off against a formidable incumbent the question is: can she overcome her stark cash disadvantage and low name recognition to become the state\u2019s first female governor<\/a>?<\/p>\n Will Republicans hold on in competitive Congressional seats?<\/p>\n There are four U.S. House districts in the eastern portion of Pennsylvania, targeted by both parties<\/a> as must-wins. In each, the Republican incumbents are seeking to fend off highly-financed challengers amid deep frustration among voters with the leader of their party that could translate into a wave of Democratic victories down ballot.<\/p>\n 1st Congressional District: Five-term Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick<\/a> faces a challenge from Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie<\/a> in the district, which covers all of Bucks County and a portion of Montgomery. Fitzpatrick, a moderate<\/a> who has survived previous blue waves, has maintained a fundraising advantage<\/a> on Harvie unlike the other swing-district incumbents.<\/p>\n 7th Congressional District: Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie narrowly flipped<\/a> the Lehigh Valley district two years ago and is widely seen as one of most vulnerable incumbents in Congress. He\u2019s facing a challenge Democrat Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter and union leader whose blue-collar campaign<\/a> has attracted support across the party\u2019s ideological spectrum with endorsements from Shapiro<\/a> and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. <\/p>\n 8th Congressional District: Freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan ousted a six-term incumbent in this district centered in former President Joe Biden<\/a>\u2019s hometown of Scranton two years ago. But as he faces a tough challenge from Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti<\/a>, Bresnahan has faced scrutiny over his stock trades<\/a> and his vote to cut Medicaid \u2014 to pay for Trump\u2019s tax cuts<\/a> \u2014 despite a promise to protect the program. <\/p>\n 10th Congressional District: Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry<\/a>, a close ally of Trump<\/a>, faces a November rematch against Democratc Janelle Stelson, a former TV anchor, in the Harrisburg area district. Stelson has consistently outraised Perry<\/a> after narrowly losing in 2024. <\/p>\n In addition to these four races both national parties have targeted, Shapiro has argued that the 9th Congressional District, where Democrat Rachel Wallace is taking on incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, is flippable \u2014 despite the strong GOP lean in the district, which stretches from Berks County to the New York state border. The district is home two warehouses that ICE was planning to convert into detention centers before abandoning the plan after a backlash from residents. <\/p>\n Will Democrats flip the Pennsylvania Senate?<\/p>\n In Harrisburg, Democrats hold an extremely narrow majority in the state House, but the Pennsylvania state Senate has been under Republican control for more than 30 years<\/a>.<\/p>\n This year, Shapiro wants to flip the chamber and win a trifecta to push forward his key priorities<\/a>, like codifying abortion access, raising the state\u2019s minimum wage, and increasing funding for transit. <\/p>\n Republicans currently hold 27 of the chamber\u2019s 50 seats. Democrats, who currently hold 23 seats, need to win at least two additional seats and the governor\u2019s office to win control of the chamber with the lieutenant governor as a tie-breaking vote.<\/p>\n The seats, drawn advantageously for Republicans, have been stubbornly resistant to political change for decades. <\/p>\n But this year a blue wave could usher in Democratic pickups in Philadelphia suburbs and the Lehigh Valley. <\/p>\n Races to watch include:<\/p>\n Bucks County\u2019s 6th District, where Republican incumbent State Sen. Frank Farry faces a challenge from Democrat Eileen Hartnett Albillar. <\/p>\n