US EditionDemocrats defend Pennsylvania Supreme Court majority in a race with 2028 implications
The justices won retention with margins around 27 points, preserving the court's 5-2 Democratic majority amid a record $15 million spending battle.
- On Nov. 4, Pennsylvanians retained Justices Kevin Dougherty, Christine Donohue and David Wecht, preserving a five-Democrat, two-Republican majority on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
- State and national groups poured resources as both parties flooded voters' screens and mailboxes, with the Associated Press estimating more than $15 million spent in the retention fight.
- Democrats ran ads stressing abortion rights, while Republican criticism of the justices as partisan was backed by conservative megadonor Jeff Yass and allied spending groups organizing major efforts.
- Democrats will remain able to counter legal threats, retaining control and testing Eugene DePasquale, chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, in a pivotal vote Tuesday.
- The near-term composition could still change because Justice Christine Donohue, 72, may face mandatory retirement in 2027 despite retention, and Republicans would need replacement elections in 2027 to flip the majority.
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ELECTION 2025 | Pa. reelects Supreme Court justices, extending Democratic majority on its highest court
All three of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices who sought reelection Tuesday will get another term, ensuring Democratic jurists keep their majority on the presidential battleground state’s highest court.
Pa. justices win retention for 10-year terms on state Supreme Court
Pennsylvania Judicial Center located in Harrisburg’s historic capitol complex. (Getty Images)Three state Supreme Court justices were elected to second terms Tuesday, despite efforts by conservative groups to persuade voters to oust them, according to unofficial election results. Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht, first elected as Democrats in 2015, will continue serving on the commonwealth’s highest court, which hears a…
PBS NewsHour
One News PagePennsylvania reelects Supreme Court justices, maintaining Democratic majority
All three of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices who sought reelection Tuesday will get another term, ensuring Democratic jurists keep their majority on the presidential battleground state’s highest court.
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