WASHINGTON, March 4, 2026 — Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, the bipartisan government relations and communications affiliate of international law firm Cozen O’Connor, today announced that Alexandra DeRiso has joined the firm as a principal on its health care team.
The Special Elections for House District 79 and House District 193 took place on March 17, 2026. Andrea Verobish (R) won against Caleb McCoy (D) by a margin of 58% to 42% in the special general election for District 79’s Blair County to replace former Representative Lou Schmitt (R), and Catherine Wallen (R) won against Todd Crawley (D) by a margin of 60% to 40% in the special general election for District 193’s Adams/Cumberland Counties to replace former Representative Torren Ecker (R). With Verobish and Wallen’s victories, Democrats still hold a narrow 102–100 state House majority. One more special election is set for May 19 to fill the seat vacated by Republican Seth Grove in the 196th District.
The state Senate approved SB1090, also known as the SAFECHAT Act, aimed at protecting minors from harmful interactions with AI companions. The bipartisan legislation requires operators of companionship-focused AI to disclose their non-human status and implement protocols to prevent content related to suicide or self-harm. The bill also mandates that these platforms provide crisis resource notifications if a user shows signs of suicidal ideation and prohibits the generation of sexually explicit content when interacting with minors. Supported by Governor Josh Shapiro and Attorney General Dave Sunday, the bill now moves to the state House for consideration.
In the race to succeed retiring U.S. Representative Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), Dr. Dave Oxman suspended his bid to endorse Dr. Ala Stanford. Dr. Stanford has also been endorsed by Representative Evans, citing Stanford’s position as a science-driven alternative to the Trump administration’s health policies. The Working Families Party and Justice Democrats also endorsed State Representative Chris Rabb (D-200-Philadelphia), making him the favorite among the city’s left-leaning and progressive organizations.
A court settlement has postponed Philadelphia City Council’s vote on legislation that would expand “good cause” eviction protections to all renters and create a new proactive housing‑inspection program. After two landlords sued, alleging the housing committee violated the Sunshine Act, an act meant to stop public agencies from making decisions in secret without public input, during an earlier hearing, the bills were sent back to committee for another public session. The delay extends an ongoing debate between tenant advocates, who say the changes are needed to prevent retaliatory evictions, and landlord groups seeking amendments.
After the March 17 petition deadline ahead of the May 19 primary, a wave of legal challenges have emerged to remove candidates from the ballot. Democrat Will Parker challenged the petitions of U.S. Representatives Summer Lee (D-PA-12) and Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) for redacting their home addresses, a privacy measure previously upheld by the Commonwealth Court due to documented security threats. Opponents are also challenging Parker’s candidacy, alleging that more than 2,000 of his signatures are defective. Across the region, similar challenges have hit state legislative races in House Districts 30, 34 and 45, as well as Senate Districts 32 and 46, often centering on residency and signature validity.
U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is facing intensified scrutiny from within his own party for his continued support of President Trump’s military actions in Iran, a stance he frames as choosing “country over party.” While Senator Fetterman maintains a consistent Democratic voting record on domestic issues like labor and reproductive rights, his refusal to back war powers resolutions and his support for “Operation Epic Fury” have prompted calls for a 2028 primary challenge from groups like the Working Families Party. Public sentiment remains divided, as a recent poll shows 56% of Pennsylvania voters disapprove of the war and 49% disapprove of Senator Fetterman.
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Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.
Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.
March 19, 2026
March 19, 2026
March 18, 2026
