In the circus atmosphere surrounding Pennsylvania’s presidential race, the fight for majority control in the state Senate has been omitted.
Republicans have a 28-22 advantage in the upper house, but Democrats believe they could flip enough seats take control for the first time since 1993.
Governor Josh Shapiro has often told the story that he oversees the only divided state government in the country, and a change in the state Senate combined with Democrats retaining control of the state House would change that narrative, giving the party the elusive “trifecta.”
Here are the races to watch on Tuesday night.
SD-5. Jimmy Dillon* (D) vs. Joe Picozzi (R)
Dillon (D-Philadelphia) was elected in 2022 to complete his term Jan Sabatino. The 29-year-old faces a challenge Ice axes in the Northeast Philadelphia area, which tends to have a more conservative bend. Picozzi previously worked on Capitol Hill for the former House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
SD-9. John Kane* (D) vs. Mike Wood (R)
Kane (D-Chester/Delaware), former business executive of Philadelphia Plumbers Union 690, is running for re-election against WoodAvon Grove school board member. Kane won his first term by four points in this D+3 district.
SD-15. Patty Kim (D) vs. Nick DiFrancesco (R)
Kimwho represents Dauphin County in the state house, and DiFrancescoformer Dauphin County commissioner, are running for the position vacated by John DiSanto (R-Dauphin), who chose not to seek re-election. The 2022 district boundary change favors Democrats, especially since it no longer includes GOP-dominated Perry County.
SD-19. Karolina Comita* (D) vs. Duane Milne (R)
Comitta (D-Chester) seeks re-election against Milneformer state representative. Comitta won the seat in 2020 by 14 points, but Democrats have just a 5 percentage point lead in voter turnout.
SD-37. Devlin Robinson* (R) vs. Nicole Ruscito (D)
Perhaps the swingiest of all the chamber seats, as the district has flipped from Democrat to Republican four times since 2012. Robinson (R-Allegheny) holds this position, but faces a significant challenge Ruscittoteacher and former municipal councilor. This district is slightly more Republican, but is increasingly voting Democratic.
SD-45. Nick Pisciottano (D) vs. Jen Ditini (R)
This 2020 Allegheny County race is down to just 69 votes, and now the incumbent Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) is not seeking re-election. They peestate representative i Ditinidiminutive business owner are candidates recruited by their party’s leadership, again setting the stage for a fierce competition. The seat is more favorable to Democrats after the reapportionment of eliminated parts of Westmoreland County favoring the GOP.
SD-49. Dan Laughlin* (R) vs. Jim Wertz (D)
Can Democrats finally flip the Erie-based seat? Śmiechlin is seeking a third term in Harrisburg, but faces a competitive challenge Wertzformer chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party. Laughlin was a moderate member of the GOP caucus, supporting a minimum wage raise and the legalization of recreational marijuana. Wertz has been a vocal critic of the incumbent for years and was sued by Laughlin for defamation.
