Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, November 9, 2026

Pennsylvania

Democrats Revisit National Popular Vote Initiative After Midterm Sweep

Following midterm victories that secured a Democratic trifecta in Pennsylvania, state lawmakers and Governor Josh Shapiro are expressing renewed interest in joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. The agreement, already enacted in 18 states and Washington, D.C., would pledge the state’s electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote, bypassing the Electoral College if enough states join to reach the 270 electoral votes required to determine the presidency. Governor Shapiro recently stated he remains “open to the idea” and will collaborate with lawmakers on potential mechanisms, while Democratic state legislators plan to introduce bipartisan-backed legislation to advance the measure in the upcoming session.

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PA Democrats to Expand State House Majority

Democratic challengers have declared victory in three tight Pennsylvania House races, positioning the party to secure a 13-seat majority at 114-89 in the upcoming legislative session. In Lancaster County’s 41st District, Democrat Brad Chambers holds a narrow 30-vote lead over Republican incumbent Brett Miller, with a small number of provisional and overseas ballots still pending review. In Bucks county’s 143rd and Montgomery county’s 147th districts, Democratic candidates Tim Hayes and Margaret Burke hold leads of over 200 votes against Shelby Labs and Donna Scheuren, their respective Republican opponents, though the incumbents have not yet conceded and the Associated Press has not officially called the races. These anticipated House victories further solidify the Democrats’ newly secured state government trifecta.

Philadelphia

Protests and Support Erupt Over Philadelphia Boycott Ride

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators participated in a controversial bike-ride boycott targeting six Jewish-owned restaurants in Center City Philadelphia, prompting a massive turnout of counterprotesters and patrons who formed block-long lines to support the businesses. While boycott organizers stated their demonstration was aimed at the business owners’ financial support for Israeli organizations, restaurant owners and patrons viewed the action as an attack on the Jewish community, particularly given its timing near the anniversary of Kristallnacht. The protests resulted in three arrests and minor police injuries, though the event was largely defined by the community’s overwhelming financial support for the targeted eateries. Following the demonstration, local and state elected officials widely condemned the boycott; Governor Josh Shapiro and Mayor Cherelle Parker commended the public for backing the eateries and stated that targeting businesses based on their owners’ Jewish identity is intolerable, Representative Brendan Boyle (D-PA-2) and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) denounced the demonstration as blatant antisemitism, and District Attorney Larry Krasner advised activists to direct their political grievances at the Israeli government rather than local Jewish residents.

Federal

Governor Shapiro Questions Senator Fetterman’s Democratic Future

Governor Josh Shapiro stated during a recent television interview that Senator John Fetterman must rebuild trust with Pennsylvania voters if he intends to seek reelection as a Democrat in 2028. Highlighting Senator Fetterman’s recent backing of President Donald Trump’s policies, support for conservative nominees, and absence from public events, Governor Shapiro warned that the senator will likely face a strong primary challenge, noting that figures like Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) are already considering a run. Beyond intra-party politics, Governor Shapiro also urged the newly elected Democratic congressional majority to hold the Trump administration accountable. He specifically called for oversight hearings regarding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and recent U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats that resulted in over 200 casualties, which human rights groups and families argue mistakenly targeted civilian fishermen.

Senator McCormick Seeks Delay in Senate GOP Leadership Vote

Following substantial Republican midterm losses, Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) is urging the party to delay its scheduled Senate GOP leadership elections. While Senator McCormick is not asking Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to step down, he and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) argue that Republicans need time to thoroughly evaluate their election failures and reassess their agenda before holding internal votes. The push for a postponement arrives amid broader party tensions, with President Donald Trump repeatedly clashing with Majority Leader Thune over legislative priorities and publicly blaming the Senate’s performance for the recent electoral defeats. Despite these concerns, the leadership elections are still scheduled to proceed, with President Trump stating that the final decision rests solely with Senate Republicans.

DOJ Sues Penn State Over Tuition Policy

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit against Penn State over its policy of offering discounted in-state tuition to undocumented students who completed at least four years at and graduated from a Pennsylvania high school. The DOJ argues that the university’s policy violates federal law by providing residency-based educational benefits to undocumented immigrants that are denied to out-of-state U.S. citizens. Seeking a permanent injunction to end the practice, the Trump administration’s complaint marks its 27th lawsuit targeting similar tuition policies at universities and states across the country, including Delaware, New York, Maryland, and Connecticut. University officials are currently reviewing the filing.

Cozen Corner

Blue Up & Down The Ballot

From Texas and Georgia to Ohio, Iowa, and Nevada, Tuesday’s blue tsunami reshaped the political map beyond Washington. With Democratic gains in governors’ races and state legislatures, where can the party advance its agenda and where will divided government require compromise? Featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer (DC), Patrick Carey (IL), and Julia Hammond (VA). Click here to listen.

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