It was a stinging loss for the state’s GOP, which had pitched an aggressive “No” campaign aimed at ousting a Democratic-controlled state Supreme Court. This court had been in the spotlight over key issues such as redistricting, COVID-19, and voting rights.
Eugene DePasquale, a Pittsburgh attorney and the new state Democratic Party chairman, hit the road hard in traditionally red counties to deliver a fresh message of economic populism. He tempered the progressive rhetoric that had been dominating outside the state — and it worked.
“On the first election night of the new era of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, the voters of our Commonwealth delivered a resounding message by standing up for our freedoms and rejecting Trump’s chaos,” DePasquale said in a statement.
DePasquale, who has vowed to tone down the party’s rhetoric—including moving away from dehumanizing language toward President Donald Trump and his supporters—called the victories a major step in rebuilding the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. His goal is to win back the gettable voters who were lost to Trump.
Even in red Westmoreland County, where voter turnout was brisk all day, retention for all three justices comfortably edged out the “No” votes. The top-of-the-ticket race was among several sweeping wins for Democrats across the state in this off-year election cycle, a year after they suffered losses statewide.
Democrats also secured a strong retention vote in other red counties such as Lancaster, York, Beaver, and Washington. Historically, only once has a state Supreme Court justice lost retention in Pennsylvania—it happened in 2005 amid a populist revolt against a late-night pay raise that enraged voters.
Democrats ended the night with broad victories in critically important counties such as Bucks, Luzerne, and Erie. These counties are often seen as key bellwethers in deciding statewide and congressional election outcomes during midterms and presidential races.
In Erie County, the Republican county executive lost, marking a significant upset in what is arguably the most crucial county for predicting statewide results. Meanwhile, in Luzerne County, Democrats flipped four County Council seats, regaining an 8-3 majority after previously holding a 7-4 minority. Notably, in 2021, Republicans had won all available seats, establishing a 10-1 majority.
Democrats also won a judicial seat in the deeply red Clearfield County, signaling further inroads in traditionally Republican strongholds.
There’s a cautionary tale here for both parties.
For Republicans, it is clear that candidate quality matters, the economy matters, and they cannot solely depend on Donald Trump to secure victories for them.
For Democrats, the lesson is not to overinterpret these results. Back in 2015, when Democrats initially won all three state Supreme Court races—along with similar county contests in Luzerne, Erie, and Bucks—they were optimistic about their chances in the presidential and Senate races. But that momentum collapsed quickly.
### Chasing Voters in Pennsylvania Now Prepares GOP for 2026
Nothing is permanent in American politics.
Governor Josh Shapiro, who is expected to announce his bid for reelection soon, took a risk by fully embracing the fight to retain the three state Supreme Court justices. It is difficult to predict how the justices will vote, but Shapiro ran an ad supporting their retention and used his social media accounts to remind voters of the importance of backing these justices, who will shape state law for the next decade.
Shapiro’s team also coordinated an effective ad featuring a working-class union worker in a hard hat—targeting the very voters Democrats have been losing for years.
This strategic pivot reflects a broader effort by Democrats to reconnect with key working-class constituencies across Pennsylvania, setting the stage for both parties as they prepare for the 2026 elections.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/3876098/josh-shapiro-touts-democratic-victories-ahead-anticipated-reelection-announcement/