Ford Turner, Central Square
(Central Square) – On May 19, both longtime and relatively modern incumbent state lawmakers will face primary election challenges as the journey toward transforming the 2027-2028 Legislature begins.
Seven-year-old Democrat Senator Anthony Williams Philadelphia and a three-term Republican Senator Bartolotta’s Chamber in Washington County, for example, are among the officials who face opponents from their own party. Among many contentious House primaries, a 19-year Republican incumbent Representative Dan Moul in Adams County he has two intra-party competitors; and two second-term Allegheny County Democrats – Reps. La’Tasha Mayes AND Abigail Salisbury – they also have challengers.
Some say the environment this year heading into the Nov. 3 general election appears to favor Democrats.
“Time is important,” he said Chris BorickMuhlenberg College professor and interviewer. “There is no doubt that the winds are toward the Republican Party in this midterm cycle.”
According to Borick, one source is the classic midterm opposition to the party in the White House. Others, he added, take into account low poll numbers President Donald Trump and the “overall vote,” which shows a mighty tilt toward Democrats.
Glenn GeissingerNorthampton County GOP chairman, isn’t so sure.
Geissinger said talk of “blue winds” or a “blue tsunami” this year may be overstating what’s actually happening. He admitted that “public opinion is very concerned about what is happening abroad. The conflict with Iran was not of anyone’s interest.”
The “micro-focus” on gas prices – the average unleaded price was $4.67 a gallon in the state on Monday, up 42% from the price a year earlier – has partially overshadowed mighty domestic policy decisions and military achievements in the Iran conflict, Geissinger said.
In Pennsylvania, Republicans have a 27-23 majority in the state Senate. At least some Democrats feel they have a chance to flip the chamber.
“We feel better than we have in decades,” he said Brittany Crampsiespokesman for the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee. She said many voters are “angry about what happened in Washington” since 2024.
At least four state Senate seats held by Republicans – those with Sense. Jarrett Coleman Lehigh County Tracy Pennycuick montgomery county Frank Farry Bucks County and Rosemary Brown According to Crampsie, they are of particular interest to Democrats this year.
Each of the four is completing their first four-year term, and each of their districts is Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro won the 2022 gubernatorial vote. None of the four has a primary opponent, but each will face a Democrat in November.
Republicans have been elected to the Senate majority multiple times, he said Michał Słomkaspokesman for the Republican Senate Campaign Committee. He said: “We are optimistic.”
Although Coleman does not have a primary challenger in his 16th Senate District, which includes parts of Lehigh and Bucks counties, two Democrats will face each other in the primary. According to the chairwoman of the Lehigh County Democratic Committee Lori McFarlandit’s a “highly competitive” contest between progressive Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsleyand a centrist, teacher and member of the Pennridge School Board Bradley Merkel-Gump.
She added that the district Democratic committee will support the winner.
“If we are ever going to take back the Senate, it will be now,” McFarland said.
Williams, a Democrat who has represented the 8th Senate District for about 28 years, faces a primary challenge David Goldsmith Jr.real estate agent. Bartolotta, a Republican who has represented the 46th Senate District for 11 years, faces a major challenge Albert Buchtanfounder of a stonemasonry company.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives was controlled by Republicans for 12 years ending in early 2023. Democrats have held control since then, and the current slim 102-101 advantage has remained there for most of the last three-plus years.
Taking back the House of Representatives and maintaining control of the Senate is “one of our main goals for 2026,” a spokesman for the state Republican Party said Jim Markley.
There are many contested primaries.
Moul, who has represented the 91st House District for 19 years, is being challenged by a Conewago Valley School Board member Lindsay Krug and chairman of the Littlestown Area School Board Nick Lovell.
Meanwhile, both Mayes and Salisbury joined the Chamber less than four years ago. Mayes faces a challenge William Johnsonchairman of the Allegheny County Democratic Black Caucus; and Salisbury faces a challenge Todd Koger Sr
Ford Turner is a Pennsylvania reporter for The Center Square
