Pennsylvania is gearing up for significant primaries on Tuesday, as the state’s largest cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, prepare to select nominees for prominent municipal positions. Voters statewide will also cast ballots for judicial seats on the appellate courts.
These primaries are crucial as they pave the way for the November general election, where the balance of control within the Pennsylvania Supreme Court could be influenced. In Philadelphia, incumbent District Attorney Larry Krasner is vying for a third term against former Municipal Court Judge Pat Dugan, who presents himself as a moderate challenger. Dugan’s campaign has seen substantial fundraising success, setting the stage for a competitive Democratic primary.
Notably, Krasner, who previously won reelection with a commanding margin in 2021, faced impeachment by the Republican-led state House over his progressive policies, although recent shifts in party control have reduced immediate threats to his incumbency.
In Pittsburgh, Mayor Ed Gainey is also in a closely watched primary against Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor. Both candidates started the race with comparable funding levels, but O’Connor has managed to significantly out-raise Gainey as the primary draws near. Gainey, who made history as the city’s first Black mayor, previously defeated former Mayor Bill Peduto in the 2021 primaries.
The statewide ballot will feature contested Republican primary races for the Superior and Commonwealth courts, while Democratic candidates in these elections are running unopposed. Notably, there are no primaries for the state Supreme Court, but three Democratic justices will face retention votes in the November election, a potential area of concern for Democrats amid fears of a Republican campaign to displace them.
Voter registration in Pennsylvania shows a significant Democratic advantage, especially in urban areas. The Democratic primary turnout for Pittsburgh’s mayoral race in 2021 was around 34%, while Philadelphia’s municipal primary saw about 21% participation. Early voting numbers indicate strong engagement, with hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots already submitted leading up to the day of the primary.
Polls will close at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and the Associated Press will be tracking the results live. With the stakes high for both cities and for the judicial races, Tuesday’s primaries will be pivotal in shaping Pennsylvania’s political landscape moving forward.
As voters head to the polls, the emphasis remains on civic engagement and making voices heard in critical local and state decisions.