Politics PA
By: Steve Ulrich
Pennsylvania is “America’s Swing State” and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has identified 22 races in the Keystone State as “Target Races” this fall.
According to a DLCC press release, the Target Races represent the most competitive, must-win races across the country in hopes of delivering a once-in-a-generation shift of the balance of power in state legislatures.
“As costs soar and Republicans double down on rigging their way to power, building durable power in state legislatures is mission-critical to defend our future,” said DLCC president Heather Williams. “We’ll be with our Target Race candidates every step of the way between now and November to ensure strong campaigns are ready to flip seats and build new majorities in states across the country. The DLCC is only just getting started as we gear up to target over 500 races across the country. Republicans have been put on notice that the DLCC is on offense to transform the landscape of state legislative power for years to come.”
The DLCC plans to work directly with caucuses and Target Race candidates to deliver support and resources for data, research, polling, paid communication, and direct voter contact.
Democrats presently hold the majority in the Pennsylvania State House by a single seat, 101-100, and the DLCC has targeted 17 districts that are vital to the party remaining in control. The 17 districts include seven currently held by Democrats and 10 others that the DLCC hopes to remain or flip blue.
On the Senate side, the committee has identified five seats in hopes of winning majority control in the chamber and giving Pennsylvania a Democratic trifecta – control of the House, Senate, and governor’s mansion – for the first time since 1993. Republicans presently hold the majority, 27-23.
“Pennsylvania is one of the toughest battlegrounds in the country, and the DLCC is going all-in to capitalize on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to build durable Democratic power in the state,” said Williams.
Pennsylvania House Targets (17)
- Ryan Bizzarro, HD-03 (Erie County) *
- Robert Matzie, HD-16 (Beaver) *
- Bryan Allen, HD-18 (Bucks)
- Dr. Arvind Venkat, HD-30 (Allegheny) *
- Mandy Steele, HD-33 (Allegheny) *
- Brad Chambers, HD-41 (Lancaster)
- Hadley Haas, HD-44 (Allegheny)
- Brittany Bloam, HD-45 (Allegheny)
- Paul Takac, HD-82 (Centre) *
- Sara Agerton, HD-88 (Cumberland)
- Jim Haddock, HD-118 (Lackawanna, Luzerne) *
- Jessica McClay, HD-121 (Luzerne)
- Jeff Warren, HD-137 (Northampton)
- Kristin Egan, HD-142 (Bucks)
- Timothy Hayes, HD-143 (Bucks)
- Brian Munroe, HD-144 (Bucks) *
- Elizabeth Moro, HD-160 (Chester, Delaware)
Pennsylvania Senate Targets (5)
- Eileen Hartnett Albillar, SD-06 (Bucks)
- Nick Miller, SD-14 (Lehigh, Northampton) *
- Chris Thomas, SD-24 (Berks, Montgomery)
- James Malone, SD-36 (Lancaster) *
- Brian Wrightson, SD-40 (Lackawanna, Monroe, Wayne)
