Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, January 12, 2026

Pennsylvania

Four State House Seats Headed to Special Elections

Pennsylvania voters will fill four vacant seats in the state House of Representatives in special elections scheduled for February 24 and March 17 following the resignations of lawmakers who won judicial or county offices in November. Democratic held seats in the 22nd District in Lehigh County and the 42nd District in Allegheny County will be contested on February 24 after the departures of Representatives Josh Siegel (D-22-Lehigh) and Dan Miller (D-42-Allegheny), while Republican held seats in the 79th District in Blair County and the 193rd District spanning Adams and Cumberland counties will be decided on March 17 after Representatives Lou Schmitt (R-79-Blair) and Torren Ecker (R-193-Adams/Cumberland) stepped down to serve as judges. City & State Pennsylvania has more.

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Treasurer Garrity Campaign Reports $1.5 Million Raised in 2025

Republican gubernatorial candidate and State Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s campaign announced it raised nearly $1.5 million in 2025, ending the year with more than $1 million in cash on hand as the 2026 race against Governor Josh Shapiro takes shape. Treasurer Garrity framed the fundraising haul as evidence of grassroots support, saying most donations came from Pennsylvania residents and small dollar contributors, while using the announcement to sharply criticize Governor Shapiro over budget delays and speculation about national ambitions. The early fundraising numbers underscore how quickly the governor’s race is intensifying ahead of a high stakes election year. WHTM has more.

Philadelphia

Hundreds Rally Against ICE and U.S. Military Action in Venezuela

Hundreds of Philadelphians marched through Center City to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Trump administration’s military intervention in Venezuela, rallying outside the Federal Detention Center. The demonstrations followed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, with protesters disputing the administration’s self-defense claims and calling for accountability, an end to ICE operations in cities, and broader opposition to U.S. foreign and immigration policy. The protests also reflected growing local backlash to federal actions abroad and at home, as Philadelphia officials and residents weigh concerns about civil liberties, public safety, and federal overreach. Billy Penn has more.

Pittsburgh

Mayor O’Connor Reaffirms City Will Not Cooperate With ICE

Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor said his administration will not cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reiterating a position he held during the campaign and one previously taken by former Mayor Ed Gainey. Mayor O’Connor framed the stance as consistent with his focus on public safety and community trust, as national tensions over immigration enforcement escalate following a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis and expanded federal activity in several cities. The mayor’s comments align Pittsburgh with other Democratic led cities pushing back against federal enforcement actions they say undermine local public safety efforts. TribLive has more.

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