Elections were held in Pennsylvania on , to fill judicial positions, allow judicial retention votes, and fill numerous county, local and municipal offices, the most prominent being the mayor of Philadelphia. The necessary primary elections were held on May 16, 2023. In addition, special elections for legislative vacancies could be held at various times in 2023.
Justice of the Supreme Court
One vacancy occurred after Democratic Chief Justice Max Baer died on .
Democratic primary Candidates Deborah Kunselman, judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania Daniel McCaffery, judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, U.S. Army veteran
Endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of June 5, 2023CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handDebbie Kunselman $95,275$93,567$1,707Dan McCaffery$776,572$483,510$408,881Source: PA Department of State
Results
Republican primary Candidates Carolyn Carluccio, judge of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Patricia McCullough, judge of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court
Withdrawn Paula Patrick, Jjudge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of June 5, 2023CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handCarolyn Carluccio$547,164$439,446$107,718Patricia McCullough$22,162$12,076$10,086Source: PA Department of State
Results
General election Endorsements
Fundraising Although McCaffery outraised Carluccio 2-to-1 in direct fundraising, Carluccio received over $4 million in independent expenditures supporting her campaign, primarily through Republican donor Jeff Yass. In comparison, McCaffery only received $330,000 in support from outside groups.
Campaign finance reports as of November 27, 2023CandidateRaisedSpentCash on handCarolyn Carluccio (R)$1,365,518$1,453,732$19,503Dan McCaffery (D)$2,766,455$3,173,273$10,464Source: PA Department of State
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error DanielMcCaffery (D) CarolynCarluccio (R) UndecidedCommon Ground (R)Common Ground (R) September 21–24, 2023800 (RV)± 3.5%42%36%22%
Results
Judge of the Superior Court
There were two seats up for election. A vacant seat on the court was up for election after the retirement of Judge Jacqueline Shogan in 2021. A second seat was scheduled for election due to the impending mandatory retirement of Judge Emeritus John T. Bender on December 31, 2023.
The election of Jill Beck and Timika Lane flipped the partisan makeup of the Superior Court, from a 8–7 Republican majority, to a 9–6 Democratic majority. However, the makeup was decreased to a 8–6 Democratic majority when Judge Dan McCaffery vacated his seat after being elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Republican primary Candidates Maria Battista, former counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of Health (2011–2014), former Venango County assistant district attorney (2004–2005) Harry Smail Jr., judge of the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas
Withdrawn Michael Dimino, professor at Widener University Commonwealth Law School Emily Yuhaniak, former law clerk for Judge John T. Bender
Endorsements
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Jill Beck, civil litigator, Blank Rome Patrick Dugan, judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court Timika Lane, judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Endorsements
Results
General election Results
Judge of the Commonwealth Court
There was one vacancy on the Commonwealth Court when Judge Kevin Brobson vacated his seat after being elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2021.
Republican primary Candidates Megan Martin, former aecretary-parliamentarian of the Pennsylvania State Senate (2012–2022) Joshua Prince, associate, Prince Law Offices, P.C., a law firm specializing in gun rights litigation
Endorsements
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Bryan Neft, commercial litigation attorney, former president of the Allegheny County Bar Association's Board of Governors Matthew S. Wolf, supervising judge of the Civil Division of the Philadelphia Municipal Court
Withdrawn Brandon Neuman, Judge of the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, former state representative (2011–2017)
Results
General election Results
Judicial retention
Superior Court President Judge Jack A. Panella (D) and Judge Victor P. Stabile (R) were scheduled for retention votes in 2023. Both informed the Pennsylvania Department of State that they would seek retention.
Municipal elections
Philadelphia
Mayor
City council
Allegheny County
County executive
District attorney
Democratic primary
Declared Matt Dugan, chief public defender of Allegheny County (2019–present) Stephen Zappala, incumbent district attorney (1998–present)
Endorsements
Results
General election
Results Incumbent Stephen Zappala accepted the Republican nomination upon losing the Democratic primary, though he remained a registered Democrat.
Special elections
Pennsylvania State Senate
27th senatorial district On , state senator John Gordner announced his resignation in order to serve as counsel to interim Senate Pro Tempore Kim Ward. His resignation was effective on November 30. A special election to replace Gordner was held on .
Democrats nominated speech pathologist Patricia Lawton while Republicans nominated State Representative Lynda Schlegel-Culver. Libertarians had nominated business consultant and constable Thomas Anderson, but he failed to file the necessary paperwork in time and his lawsuit for ballot access was denied by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives Three vacancies in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives opened between Election Day 2022 and the start of the 2023 session in January. The vacancies made the difference between Democratic and Republican control, and paralyzed the chamber due to representatives' inability to agree on basic operating rules.
32nd district
On October 9, 2022, incumbent representative Anthony DeLuca died of lymphoma while seeking reelection. His death occurred after the deadline to conduct candidate substitutions, causing his name to remain on the ballot. Despite his death, he defeated Green challenger Queonia Livingston, receiving 85% of the vote. A special election to replace DeLuca was held on .
Democrats nominated Penn Hills Democratic Committee chair Joe McAndrew. Republicans nominated pastor and Army veteran Clay Walker. 2022 Green Party candidate Queonia Livingston had filed nomination papers, but they were rejected by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
34th district
On November 8, 2022, incumbent representative Summer Lee was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, while simultaneously running unopposed for reelection to the 34th legislative district. Pennsylvania's constitution forbids General Assembly lawmakers from holding another office, but does not prevent them from running for reelection while seeking another office. A special election to replace Lee was held on .
Democrats nominated Swissvale Borough Councilor Abigail Salisbury, while Republicans nominated Robert Pagane, a kickboxing instructor.
35th district
On January 4, 2022, incumbent representative Austin Davis announced he would be seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, with Josh Shapiro's endorsement. He was nominated to be on the ticket on May 18 and was elected to the position in the general election. Davis was subsequently reelected to represent the 35th district, defeating Republican challenger Donald Nevills with 65% of the vote. Pennsylvania's constitution forbids General Assembly lawmakers from holding another office, but does not prevent them from running for reelection while seeking another office. A special election to replace Davis was held on .
Democrats nominated McKeesport official Matt Gergely, brother of previous seatholder Marc Gergely. Republicans nominated their 2022 general election nominee Don Nevills.
108th district
On , incumbent representative Lynda Schlegel-Culver was elected to Pennsylvania's 27th senatorial district in a special election amid the resignation of Senator John Gordner. House Speaker Joanna McClinton announced a special election for May 16 in conjunction with the 2023 primary.
Republicans nominated Shikellamy School Board member Mike Stender, while Democrats nominated Montour County Commissioner Trevor Finn. Libertarians nominated Marine Corps veteran Elijah Scretching.
163rd district
On , incumbent representative Michael Zabel resigned from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, effective March 16, following a sexual harassment controversy. House Speaker Joanna McClinton announced a special election for May 16 in conjunction with the 2023 primary.
Democrats nominated Heather Boyd, a senior staffer to Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon and former Upper Darby School Board member. Republicans nominated Kathleen "Katie" Ford, an Army veteran and special education therapist. Libertarians nominated Alfe Goodwin, a retired Philadelphia Police officer and nominee for this district in 2022.
21st district
On , incumbent representative Sara Innamorato resigned from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives after becoming the Democratic nominee for Allegheny County executive. House Speaker Joanna McClinton announced a special election for September 19.
Democrats nominated Lindsay Powell, a nonprofit executive, while Republicans nominated Erin Connolly Autenreith, a realtor and local Republican Party chair.
Notes
References
External links Official campaign websites for Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Dan McCaffery (D) for Supreme Court
Official campaign websites for Superior Court of Pennsylvania Maria Battista (R) for Superior Court Jill Beck (D) for Superior Court Timika Lane (D) for Superior Court Harry Smail Jr. (R) for Superior Court
Official campaign websites for Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania