by John Cole, The star of Pennsylvania’s capital
May 24, 2024
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) on Thursday announced the slate of Pennsylvania candidates it is supporting in the general election, where control of the General Assembly hangs in the balance.
“It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is the most important year in the history of state legislative campaigns,” DLCC President Heather Williams – he said during a talk with journalists on Thursday. “Donald Trump The MAGA agenda is being set and implemented in the states.”
Williams added that she believes reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, gun safety and democracy will be on the ballot in November.
Democrats currently hold 102 seats in the House of Representatives, while Republicans hold 101. In the Senate, Republicans hold 28 seats and Democrats hold 22.
Democrats have set their sights on flipping the Senate this cycle.
Four DLCC Endorsed Candidates – State Representatives Patty Kim (SD-15), Nick Pisciottano (SD-45) i Nicole Ruscito (SD-37); AND Jim Wertz (SD-49) — they are fighting for seats Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa he said to give the party its best chance of regaining control of the upper house.
“Over the last few years, in each of the last few cycles, we have made gains, and our goal is certainly to continue that process and grow by another three seats,” Costa said on a call with reporters Thursday. .
Of the four seats in the spotlight, three are currently held by Republicans and one by a retiring Democratic state Senator Jim Brewster.
If Democrats gain an advantage in the chamber but don’t translate into a majority, Costa said the party would still consider it a “successful cycle, but it wouldn’t be the goal we set.” He added that he believes Democrats can increase the number of chambers to 25 and win one or two more seats in 2026.
In the chamber, the DLCC supported six officials – the state Representatives Jim Haddock (HD-118), Rob Matzi (HD-16), Brian Munroe (HD-118), Eddie Day Paszynski (HD-121), Mandy Steele (HD-33) i Paweł Takac (HD-82).
Haddock, who represents parts of Luzerna and Lackawanna County, is expected to face the Republican McKayla Kathio in November. Haddock and Kathio were unopposed on their nominations. In 2022, Haddock defeated Republicans James May by less than 5 points.
Matzie, who represents part of Beaver County, will face Republicans Michael Perich for seating. None of them had a main challenger. Matzie won by 13 points in his most successful 2022 re-election bid over a Republican Rico Elmore.
Munroe is serving his first term in the Legislature after defeating a state GOP incumbent Rep. Todd Polinchock in 2022 by less than 2 points. A Democrat from Bucks County will face a Republican Daniel McPhillips in the general elections.
Pashinski, who has served in the House of Representatives since 2007, is the longest-serving incumbent among the candidates in the spotlight. He represents part of Luzerne County in northeastern Pennsylvania and defeated a Republican challenger Eryn Harvey by less than 9 points in 2022.
Steele, who represents part of Allegheny County, is serving her first term after defeating Republicans Ted Thomson by almost 10 points to the open seat in 2022. Her challenge will be a Republican Gary Lotz she ran for a second term in November.
Takac, who represents part of Center County, was first elected to office in 2022 after winning an open seat against the Republican Party Justin Behrens by 12 points. He is being challenged by a Republican Teresa Hollen in the general elections.
“In this very crucial year, it is our duty to escalate this majority in order to escalate the number of seats, and we believe we can do it,” he said. House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) while speaking to reporters. “We have suburban battlefields in every corner of Pennsylvania.”
The Republican State Leadership Committee did not immediately respond to the Capital-Star’s request for comment.
Below is the full list of DLCC candidates in Pennsylvania, including non-incumbents running for office.
- Rep. Mandy Steele (HD-33)
- Representative Jim Haddock (HD-118)
- Representative Brian Munroe (HD-144)
- Rep. Paul Takac (HD-82)
- Representative Rob Matzie (HD-16)
- Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (HD-121)
- Anna Tomasz (HD-137)
- Anna Payne (HD-142)
- Sara Agerton (HD-88)
- Hadley Haas (HD-44)
- Krystian Luna (HD-13)
- Bill Petulla (HD-28)
- Anand Patel (HD-18)
- Elżbieta Moro (HD-160)
- John Inglis (HD-38)
- Rep. Nick Pisciottano (SD-45)
- Rep. Patty Kim (SD-15)
- Nicole Ruscitto (SD-37)
- Jim Wertz (SD-49)
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