Pa. Senate Democrats think they can tie the chamber for the first time in 30 years. Republicans aren't buying it.

Democrats think they can get closer to flipping the Pennsylvania Senate this year — with potential to tie the chamber for the first time in three decades — while Republicans are confident they’ll keep a strong majority in the Nov. 5 election.

While control of the state House is up for grabs again this year — House Democrats hold only a one-seat majority — the state Senate remains an uphill battle for Democrats. Pennsylvania’s 2022 redistricted maps set up Republicans to hold control of the state Senate, and Democrats would likely need a “blue wave” in the swing state to tie the chamber. But with Democrats set to flip at least one Republican-held Senate seat, they believe they’re inching closer to tying or flipping the chamber for the first time in 30 years.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, made several state Senate endorsements last week“because they will help me deliver on the priorities that Pennsylvanians care about,” he said in a statement, as the party hopes to achieve a “trifecta” of Democratic control of the state House, Senate, and governor’s mansion.

Meanwhile, Republicans are bullish that they’ll retain their Senate majority — or even pick up seats, with their sights set on flipping Northeast Philly and Pittsburgh suburban districts. Only half of the 50-member state Senate is up for election to four-year terms this year, while the rest is up for reelection in 2026.


https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/pennsylvania-senate-control-competitive-races-democrats-tie-republicans-20241007.html