Pennsylvania Perspective Special Edition: 2023 Pennsylvania Election Recap
November 8, 2023
November 8, 2023
Information current as of 10:35 a.m. on November 8, 2023
On Tuesday, November 7, several important races helped determine the future political direction of several cities, counties, and the Commonwealth. Highlights include historic wins for Democrats Cherelle Parker in Philadelphia and Sara Innamorato in Allegheny County, who will become the first women to hold the positions of mayor and county executive, respectively; a win that extends Democrats’ majority on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court; key executive, council, and commissioner wins that have allowed Democrats to maintain control of Philadelphia and the collar counties of Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware; and wins for Democratic candidates in other offices in the Philadelphia suburbs, which are being closely monitored as potential bellwethers for the 2024 presidential race. Below is a brief summary of the election results.
In a race to replace the late Justice Max Baer, a high-profile campaign which was largely seen as a referendum on reproductive rights in the state, Democrat Daniel McCaffery has defeated Republican Carolyn Carluccio, extending Democrats’ majority.
Democrat Jill Beck has won election to Pennsylvania’s Superior Court. While the race for the second seat remains too close to call, Democrat Timika Lane currently leads Republicans Maria Battista and Harry Smail.
Democrat Matt Wolf has defeated Republican Megan Martin in the race for Commonwealth Court Judge.
The incumbent Democratic County Commissioners Bob Harvie and Diane Ellis-Marseglia have won their bids for re-election, keeping the three-member body in Democratic control. Republican incumbent Gene DiGirolamo is leading Republican challenger Pamela Van Blunk for the last seat, which is reserved for a member of a minority party.
Democrats appear to have won control of the commissioner board in Dauphin County, with Democratic newcomer Justin Douglas winning the final spot on the three-member body over Republican Chad Saylor. He will join Democratic incumbent George Hartwick III and Republican Mike Pries.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer has declared victory over Republican challenger Beth Stefanide-Miscichowski, a former prosecutor in his office.
Democrats Neil Makhika and Jamila Winder have declared victory in the Montgomery County Commissioners race, becoming the first Black woman and the first Asian American person, respectively, to be elected to the three-member body and keeping Democrats the majority. The third seat, which is reserved for a member of a minority party, has been won by Republican Thomas DiBello.
Democrats claimed a sweep of the school board races in Central Bucks, a community within a swing county, wresting control from Republicans in an increasingly polarized political era. Voters unseated current Republican board President Dana Hunter in favor of Democrat Heather Reynolds, while Region 1 incumbent Democrat Karen Smith bested challenger Republican Dr. Steve Mass. Newcomer Democrats Dana Foley (Region 3), Rick Haring (Region 6), and Susan Gibson (Region 8) won against Republicans Glenn Schloeffel, Aarati Martino, and Tony Arjona, respectively.
Democrat Stefan Roots has defeated Independent Anita Littleton to become the next mayor for the bankrupt city of Chester. He will succeed incumbent Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland.
Democrats have claimed all five open seats on the Pennridge School Board, winning control from the current 8-1 Republican majority. If the current unofficial results hold, incumbent Democrat Ron Wurz will be joined by Democratic newcomers Chris Kaufman, Bradley Merkl-Gump, Leah Foster Rash and Carolyn Sciarrino, while incumbent Republican Jonathan Russell will be joined by Republican newcomers Joshua Hogan and Bob Sellers.
Democrat Ed Brown has been elected as Upper Darby’s first Black mayor, defeating Republican Brian Burke.
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