With higher than usual turnout for a mid-term election, Democrats in Pennsylvania swept the statewide open seats and made significant gains in the state legislature. A breakdown of individual races can be found on the Department of State’s website.
Democrat Josh Shapiro handily defeated Republican Doug Mastriano in the gubernatorial race. Shapiro – who ran uncontested in the May Primary Election – was a prolific fundraiser this election cycle and vastly outspent Mastriano. The Republican candidate, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump and shunned most media interviews, ran a grassroots campaign that featured fireside chats posted on Facebook. According to unofficial results from the Department of State, Shapiro received 56.08 percent of the vote, compared to Mastriano’s 42.12 percent.
In one of the most closely watched races in the country, John Fetterman was victorious in his quest for the open U.S. Senate seat currently held by retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey. Fetterman squared off against Dr. Mehmet Oz for the seat, with many national pundits flagging it as a key race in determining which party will control the U.S. Senate. After suffering a stroke prior to the May Primary, Fetterman’s health became a focal point of the campaign, with the race eventually tightening between the two candidates. He received 50.78 percent of the vote, while Oz garnered 46.80 percent. Despite Fetterman’s win, party control the U.S. Senate is up in the air as several other races are still too close to call.
Democrats also prevailed in three key Pennsylvania Congressional races that were considered a toss-up prior to the election. However, nationwide, Republicans lead in capturing the seats needed to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives. A number of Congressional races remain uncalled however and votes continue to be counted.
Republicans will remain in control of the state Senate with unofficial vote counts having them holding 28 seats to the Democrats 22. However, Republicans in the House saw historic losses. As of this date, two races remain to be called that will determine the balance of power in the House. See this article providing information on those two races, which will be decided by the outstanding mail in, provisional, and military ballots which are still to be counted.