2025 Pennsylvania elections

2025 Pennsylvania elections
November 4, 2025 (2025-11-04)
Turnout42.5%[1]

The 2025 Pennsylvania elections took place on November 4, 2025, to hold judicial retention votes and fill numerous county, local, and municipal offices. The necessary primary elections were held on May 20, 2025. In addition, two special elections for legislative vacancies were held during the year.

Elections for open seats on the Pennsylvania Superior Court and Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court were won by Democratic Party candidates Brandon Neuman and Stella Tsai, respectively. Retention elections for three Democratic justices on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court also saw success despite a Republican Party effort against their retention. The statewide wins for Democrats, in addition to success in local races, led to the 2025 elections being dubbed a "blue wave."[2][3][4]

Special elections

36th Senate district

State Senator Ryan Aument resigned effective December 31, 2024, to become state director for U.S. Senator-elect Dave McCormick.[5] Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis set the special election to replace Aument for March 25.[6] East Petersburg Mayor James Andrew Malone received the Democratic Party nomination.[7] The Libertarian Party nominated GIS analyst Zachary Moore.[8] The Republican Party nominated Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons.[9] In an upset, Malone narrowly won the race where Parsons, the Republican, was considered the favorite to win because the district had favored Republican candidates.[10][11]

2025 Pennsylvania Senate special election, District 36[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James Andrew Malone 27,034 50.0
Republican Josh Parsons 26,508 49.1
Libertarian Zachary Moore 483 0.9
Total votes 54,025 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

35th House of Representatives district

2025 Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 35 special election
March 25, 2025
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
District 35
Turnout25.0% (unofficial)
 
Candidate Dan Goughnour Chuck Davis
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 6,825 3,761
Percentage 63.40% 34.94%
Results by precinct
Goughnour:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90–100%
Davis:      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%
     No votes
Representative before election

Matthew Gergely
Democratic

Elected Representative

Dan Goughnour
Democratic

State Representative Matt Gergely died on January 19, 2025.[13] A special election to fill his seat took place on March 25.[14] The Allegheny County Republican Party nominated White Oak council member Charles Davis.[15] The Democratic Party nominated police officer Daniel E. Goughnour.[16] The Libertarian Party nominated Adam Kitta.[17] Goughnour's victory in the special election broke the even 101–101 partisan split in the State House caused by Gergely's death.[18]

2025 Pennsylvania House of Representatives special election, District 35[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Daniel Goughnour 6,825 63.5
Republican Charles Davis 3,761 35.0
Libertarian Adam Kitta 167 1.6
Total votes 10,753 100.0
Democratic hold

Judge of the Superior Court

2025 Pennsylvania Superior Court election
November 4, 2025
 
Nominee Brandon Neuman Maria Battista
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,056,528 1,548,563
Percentage 55.93% 42.12%
County results
Neuman:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%
Battista:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Judge before election

Vacant

 Elected Judge

Brandon Neuman
Democratic

There was one vacancy on the Superior Court, due to Justice Dan McCaffery's election to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2023.[19] Washington County Court of Common Pleas judge Brandon Neuman won the open seat.[20]

Democratic primary

Nominee

Endorsements

Brandon Neuman

Political parties

Results

Democratic primary results[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brandon Neuman 843,400 100.0%
Total votes 843,400 100.0%

Republican primary

Nominee

  • Maria Battista, president of Judge Government Services, a consulting firm; nominee for Superior Court in 2023[24]

Eliminated in primary

Endorsements

Ann Marie Wheatcraft

Political parties

Results

Republican primary results[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Maria Battista 355,760 54.04%
Republican Ann Marie Wheatcraft 302,592 45.96%
Total votes 658,352 100.0%
Primary results by county:
  Battista—50—60%
  Battista—60—70%
  Battista—70–80%
  Battista—80–90%
  Wheatcraft—50–60%
  Wheatcraft—60–70%
  Wheatcraft—70–80%
  Wheatcraft—80–90%

Third-party and independent candidates

General election

Endorsements

Brandon Neuman
Labor unions
Maria Battista
Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of November 24, 2025
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Brandon Neuman (D) $861,413 $786,962 $74,451
Maria Battista (R) $244,857 $197,762 $48,343
Source: PA Department of State[29][30]

Results

2025 Pennsylvania Superior Court election[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brandon Neuman 2,056,528 55.93%
Republican Maria Battista 1,548,563 42.12%
Liberal Dan Wassmer 71,648 1.95%
Total votes 3,676,739 100.0%
Democratic hold

Judge of the Commonwealth Court

2025 Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court election
November 4, 2025
 
Nominee Stella Tsai Matt Wolford
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,076,070 1,584,223
Percentage 56.72% 43.28%
County results
Tsai:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%
Wolford:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Judge before election

Vacant

 Elected Judge

Stella Tsai
Democratic

One seat was up for election after Judge Ellen Ceisler retired in January 2025.[19] Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas judge Stella Tsai won this seat.[32]

Democratic primary

Nominee

Endorsements

Stella Tsai

Political parties

Results

Democratic primary results[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stella Tsai 842,239 100.0%
Total votes 842,239 100.0%

Republican primary

Nominee

  • Matthew Wolford, environmental attorney[35][36]

Eliminated in primary

Endorsements

Joshua Prince

Organizations

Matthew Wolford

Political parties

Results

Republican primary results[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matthew Wolford 405,704 61.98%
Republican Joshua Prince 248,863 38.02%
Total votes 654,567 100.0%

General election

Endorsements

Stella Tsai
Organizations
Matthew Wolford
Labor unions
Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of November 24, 2025
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Stella Tsai (D) $432,402 $426,293 $16,186
Matthew Wolford (R) $570,919 $560,468 $10,451
Source: PA Department of State[40][41]

Results

2025 Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court election[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stella Tsai 2,076,070 56.72%
Republican Matthew Wolford 1,584,223 43.28%
Total votes 3,660,293 100.0%
Democratic hold

Judicial retention

Pennsylvania Supreme Court

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht were due for retention votes.[42] These elections were more heavily contested than previous judicial retention elections. All three justices up for retention were originally elected as Democrats, and Republicans targeted them in an attempt to regain control of the court.[43]

Justice Christine Donohue (D) retention, 2025[31]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 2,231,527 61.80
No 1,379,599 38.20
Total votes 3,611,126 100.00
Justice Kevin Dougherty (D) retention, 2025[31]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 2,227,880 61.79
No 1,377,687 38.21
Total votes 3,605,567 100.00
Justice David Wecht (D) retention, 2025[31]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 2,209,781 61.46
No 1,385,673 38.54
Total votes 3,595,454 100.00

Superior Court

Results by county:
  Yes
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  No
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
Judge Alice Dubow (D) retention, 2025[31]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 2,141,692 62.02
No 1,311,478 37.98
Total votes 3,453,170 100.00

Commonwealth Court

Results by county:
  Yes
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  No
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
Judge Michael Wojcik (D) retention, 2025[31]
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 2,150,048 62.40
No 1,295,384 37.60
Total votes 3,445,432 100.00

Municipal elections

Allegheny County

Bucks County

Erie County

Delaware County

Lehigh County

Luzerne County

Northampton County

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh

Mayoral

Allentown

Harrisburg

References

  1. ^ Hall, Peter (December 8, 2025). "Pa. voter turnout topped 42% in November's municipal election dominated by Supreme Court race". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  2. ^ Buffer, Michael P. (November 5, 2025). "Democrats retake majority on Luzerne County Council in blue wave". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  3. ^ Walsh, Sean Collins; Terruso, Julie (November 4, 2025). "Blue wave? Democrats build momentum with a sweep of high-profile races in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  4. ^ Fowler, Stephen (November 5, 2025). "Democrats' 2025 election wins go beyond big races to places like Georgia, Pennsylvania". NPR. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
  5. ^ "Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons running for state Senate". WGAL-TV. December 26, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  6. ^ Cole, John (January 8, 2024). "Campaigns & Elections Government & Politics Special Pa. Senate election to replace Aument set for March 25". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  7. ^ Lindenmuth, Kaylee (January 18, 2025). "Democrats nominate East Petersburg mayor to run for 36th Senate seat". WHTM-TV. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  8. ^ Lindenmuth, Kaylee (January 17, 2025). "Libertarian Party announces nomination for 36th Senate special election". WHTM-TV. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
  9. ^ White, Jaxon (January 25, 2025). "Republicans choose Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons to run in 36th Senate District special election". LNP | LancasterOnline. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  10. ^ Gans, Jared (March 25, 2025). "Democrat wins special state Senate election in Pennsylvania in major upset". The Hill. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  11. ^ Ulrich, Steve (March 25, 2025). "Stunner in Lancaster As Malone Defeats Parsons For 36th Senate Seat". PoliticsPA. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Pennsylvania State Legislature Special Election Results 2025". The New York Times. March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  13. ^ Riese, Tom (January 20, 2025). "Democratic state Rep. Matt Gergely dies, weeks after medical emergency". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  14. ^ Hall, Peter (January 21, 2025). "Special election set March 25 for Rep. Matt Gergely's Allegheny County state House seat". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  15. ^ Bohnel, Steve (February 1, 2025). "White Oak council member announces he's seeking former Rep. Matt Gergely's seat in state House". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  16. ^ "Ballots set for special election to replace Matt Gergely in Pa. House". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 2, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  17. ^ "UNOFFICIAL LIST OF CANDIDATES SPECIAL ELECTION REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 35th Legislative District Held March 25, 2025" (PDF). Pennsylvania Department of State. February 3, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  18. ^ "Dan Goughnour wins special election in Pennsylvania, keeping Democrats in control of state House". CBS News. March 26, 2025. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
  19. ^ a b Meyer, Katie (April 17, 2025). "Pa. primary election 2025: A complete guide to candidates for Commonwealth and Superior Courts". Spotlight PA. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  20. ^ Jones, Mike (November 5, 2025). "Judge Neuman makes history with state Superior Court victory". Observer-Reporter. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  21. ^ Jones, Mike (January 15, 2025). "Washington County judge running for state Superior Court". The Herald-Standard.
  22. ^ a b c d Rellahan, Mike (February 11, 2025). "Wheatcraft gets nod from Pa. GOP to seek seat on Superior Court". The Mercury. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  23. ^ a b c d "2025 Municipal Primary (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Election Returns.
  24. ^ "Maria Battista announces candidacy for PA Superior Court". The Clarion News. April 24, 2025.
  25. ^ "Candidate Information - WASSMER, DANIEL S". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  26. ^ a b c d Russell-Sluchansky, Carmen (October 23, 2025). "Pa. election 2025: What to know about the Superior Court candidates". WHYY. Retrieved October 27, 2025.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g Meyer, Katie (September 9, 2025). "Pa. election 2025: A complete guide to candidates for Commonwealth and Superior Courts". PennLive. SpotlightPA. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  28. ^ a b "Endorsements". Gun Owners of America. August 18, 2025. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  29. ^ "NEUMAN FOR SUPERIOR COURT". Pennsylvania Department of State.
  30. ^ "BATTISTA FOR JUDGE". Pennsylvania Department of State.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g "2025 Municipal Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Election Results. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  32. ^ Mahfuz, Tasmin (November 5, 2025). "Election results: Commonwealth, Superior courts". WGAL 8. Retrieved November 5, 2025.
  33. ^ Meyer, Katie (April 17, 2025). "Pa. primary election 2025: A complete guide to candidates for Commonwealth and Superior Courts". The Morning Call.
  34. ^ Rinde, Meir; Binswanger, Julia; Comber-Wilen, Violet; Kariuki, Nick (May 12, 2025). "Procrastinator's Guide to the 2025 primary election in Philly". Billy Penn at WHYY.
  35. ^ Gustafson, Anna (May 13, 2025). "Pennsylvania's primary election is May 20. Here's what you need to know". Pennsylvania Independent.
  36. ^ "Prince Earns Third Consecutive Straw Poll Win at Central Caucus". PrinceforJustice. January 18, 2025.
  37. ^ "Thousands Rally Behind Joshua Prince for Republican Primary Ballot Nomination; Contest Announced". Prince for Justice. March 10, 2025. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
  38. ^ Finnell, Val (January 9, 2025). "GOA Endorses Josh Prince for Commonwealth Court". Gun Owners of America. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  39. ^ a b Russell-Sluchansky, Carmen (October 16, 2025). "Pa. election 2025: What to know about the candidates for Commonwealth Court". WHYY. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  40. ^ "JUDGE STELLA TSAI FOR COMMONWEALTH COURT". Pennsylvania Department of State.
  41. ^ "FRIENDS OF MATT WOLFORD". Pennsylvania Department of State.
  42. ^ "DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY TRACKING FOR 2025 INCUMBENT RETENTION JUDGES" (PDF). Pennsylvania Department of State. January 3, 2024. p. 1. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  43. ^ Levy, Marc; Bauer, Scott (January 26, 2025). "Battlegrounds Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are back in the spotlight with high-stakes court elections". AP News. Retrieved February 21, 2025.

Official campaign websites for Superior Court of Pennsylvania

  • Maria Battista (R) for Superior Court
  • Brandon Neuman (D) for Superior Court

Official campaign websites for Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania

  • Stella Tsai (D) for Commonwealth Court
  • Matt Wolford (R) for Commonwealth Court
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