Pennsylvania Perspective Special Edition: 2024 Primary Elections Recap

Information current as of 1:20 p.m. on April 24, 2024

On Tuesday, April 23, several important primary races helped determine the Democratic and Republican nominees for federal, state, and local offices in the upcoming 2024 general election, which will in turn determine the political direction of the Commonwealth and the nation. Despite optimal weather conditions and generally smooth polling operations, primary election day saw notably low turnout throughout Pennsylvania, with only about 70% of eligible voters having participated. Highlights include upsets of incumbents in state House races in Central Pennsylvania (HD-80), Northeast Pennsylvania (HD-117), and Philadelphia (HD-172). Below is a brief summary of the election results.

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Federal Races

President

The seemingly inevitable rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump is even closer to becoming reality, with both candidates winning their respective primary elections in Pennsylvania. While Biden secured an overwhelming victory — albeit with a marked increase in the number of write-in votes cast, potentially indicating growing voter frustration among Democrats — Trump faced resistance from supporters of Nikki Haley — who pulled out of the presidential race following her loss in her home state of South Carolina — indicating potential challenges the Trump team faces in winning over dissenting Republicans in a critical swing state.

U.S. House

• PA-01: Republican incumbent Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick successfully fended off a challenge from anti-abortion activist Mark Houck and will face Democratic nominee Ashley Ehasz, who ran unopposed in the primary, during the general election.
• PA-03: Democratic incumbent Rep. Dwight Evans successfully fended off a challenge from Tracey Gordon and will run unopposed in the general election.
• PA-07: Democratic incumbent Rep. Susan Wild will face Republican nominee Ryan Mackenzie, who defeated challengers Kevin Dellicker and Maria Montero in the primary, during the general election.
• PA-10: Republican incumbent Rep. Scott Perry will face Democratic nominee Janelle Stelson, who emerged victorious from a crowded six-candidate primary, during the general election.
• PA-12: Democratic incumbent Rep. Summer Lee successfully fended off a challenge from Bhavini Patel and will face Republican nominee James Hayes, who ran unopposed in the primary, during the general election.

U.S. Senate

Tuesday’s primary made official the highly anticipated race between incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey — who is seeking a fourth term — and Republican challenger David McCormick. While both were running unopposed in their respective primary races, the general election is expected to be costly, with potential to determine control of the U.S. Senate. In 2022, McCormick lost the nomination to Dr. Mehmet Oz, who had secured Trump’s endorsement but went on to lose to Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman.

Statewide Races

Attorney General

Democrat Eugene DePasquale emerged victorious from a crowded five-candidate race and will face Republican nominee Dave Sunday, who defeated Craig Williams in the primary, during the general election.

Auditor General

Republican incumbent Timothy DeFoor, who ran unopposed in the primary, will face Democratic state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who defeated Mark Pinsley in the primary, during the general election.

Treasurer

Republican incumbent Stacy Garrity, who ran unopposed in the primary, will face Democratic nominee Erin McClelland, who defeated state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro in the primary, during the general election.

State House

• HD-5: Democratic nominee Heather Hanna will face Republican nominee Eric Weaknecht in the November general election. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Barry Jozwiak, who will be retiring at the end of his current term.
• HD-10: The race between incumbent Democratic Rep. Amen Brown, Sajda “Purple” Blackwell, and Cass Green remains too close to call, with Brown currently leading Green by less than one percentage point. Whoever wins will run unopposed in the general election.
• HD-14: Democratic nominee Kenya Johns will face Republican nominee Roman Kozak in the November general election. Both ran unopposed in their respective primaries. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Jim Marshall, who announced in November 2023 that he would not be seeking a ninth term.
• HD-28: Democratic nominee William Petulla will face Republican nominee Jeremy Shaffer in the general election. Both ran unopposed in their respective primaries. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Rob Mercuri, who won the Republican primary for the 17th Congressional District yesterday.
• HD-38: The Democratic race between John Inglis, A.J. Olasz, and Victoria Schmotzer remains too close to call, with Inglis currently leading Schmotzer by less than one percentage point. Whoever wins will face Republican nominee Stone Sobieralski in the general election. The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Nick Pisciottano, who won the Democratic primary for state SD-45 yesterday.
• HD-56: Republican nominee Brian Rasel will run unopposed in the general election after running unopposed in the primary. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. George Dunbar, who announced in December 2023 that he would not seek an eighth term.
• HD-63: Democratic nominee Pat Ritchie will face Republican nominee Josh Bashline in the general election. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Donna Oberlander, who announced in December 2023 that she would not seek reelection.
• HD-80: Scott Barger defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Jim Gregory in the primary and will run unopposed in the general election.
• HD-90: Republican nominee Chad Reichard will run unopposed in the general election. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Paul Schemel, who announced in August 2023 that he would not seek reelection.
• HD-92: Republican nominee Marc Anderson emerged victorious from a five-candidate primary and will face Democratic nominee Dan Almoney, who ran unopposed in the primary, during the general election. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Dawn Keefer, who won the Republican primary for state SD-31 yesterday.
• HD-103: Democratic nominee Nate Davidson emerged victorious from a five-candidate primary and will face Republican nominee Cindi Ward, who ran unopposed in the primary, during the general election. The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Patty Kim, who won the Democratic primary for state SD-15 yesterday.
• HD-117: Jamie Walsh defeated incumbent Republican Rep. Michael Cabell and will run unopposed in the general election.
• HD-120: Democratic nominee Fern Leard will face Republican nominee Brenda Pugh in the general election. The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Aaron Kaufer, who announced in January that he would not be seeking reelection.
• HD-126: After running unopposed in the Democratic primary, Jacklyn Rusnock will run unopposed in the general election. The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Mark Rozzi, who announced in January that he would not seek reelection.
• HD-139: Jeff Olsommer won both the special election as well as the Republican primary and will face Democratic nominee Robin Schooley Skibber, who ran unopposed in the primary, during the general election. The seat has been vacant since Republican Rep. Joseph Adams resigned in February.
• HD-172: Sean Dougherty defeated incumbent Democratic Rep. Kevin Boyle and will face Republican nominee Aizaz Gill in the general election.
• HD-181: Democratic incumbent Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta soundly defeated challenger Lewis Nash and will run unopposed in the general election. He also won the Democratic primary for auditor general, and if he succeeds in both elections, there will be another special election on the horizon.
• HD-187: Democratic nominee Stephanie Rafes will face Republican nominee Gary Day in the general election. Both ran unopposed in their respective primaries. The seat is currently held by Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, who won the Republican primary for the 7th Congressional District yesterday.
• HD-201: After running unopposed in the Democratic primary, Andre Carroll will run unopposed in the general election. The seat is currently held by Democratic Rep. Stephen Kinsey, who announced in January that he would not seek reelection.

State Senate

• SD-11: Democratic incumbent Sen. Judy Schwank, who ran unopposed in the primary, will face Republican nominee Lisha Rowe, who soundly defeated Miguel Vasquez in the primary, in the general election.
• SD-15: Democratic nominee and current state Rep. Patty Kim, who soundly defeated Alvin Taylor, will face Republican nominee Nick DiFrancesco, who defeated Ken Stambaugh in the primary, in the general election. The seat is currently held by Republican Sen. John DiSanto, who announced in December 2023 that he would not seek reelection.
• SD-31: Democratic nominee Mark Temons will face Republican nominee and current state Rep. Dawn Keefer in the general election. Both ran unopposed in their respective primaries. The seat is currently held by Republican Sen. Mike Regan, who announced in January that he would not seek reelection.
• SD-37: Incumbent Republican Sen. Devlin Robinson will face Democratic nominee Nicole Ruscitto in a general election race that is expected to be competitive. Both ran unopposed in their respective primaries.
• SD-45: Democratic nominee and current state Rep. Nick Pisciottano will face Republican nominee Jen Dintini in the general election. The seat is currently held by Democratic Sen. James Brewster, who will be retiring at the end of his current term.
• SD-49: Republican incumbent Sen. Daniel Laughlin will face Democratic nominee Jim Wertz, who soundly defeated Selena King in the primary, in a general election race that is expected to be competitive.

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