News & Brews November 9, 2022
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Fetterman, Shapiro sweep top-of-ticket races
Democrat John Fetterman defeated Republican Mehmet Oz yesterday to capture a U.S. Senate seat. Unofficial results on the Pa. Department of State’s website this morning showed Fetterman secured 50.16% of the vote to Oz’s 47.42%. The race came down to the wire, as the candidates were neck and neck in several recent polls. The Wall Street Journal reports that according to the political ad tracking firm AdImpact, Republicans poured $85 million into general election ads to Democrats’ $111 million. Separately, Democrat Josh Shapiro easily won the race for Pennsylvania governor, defeating Republican Doug Mastriano 56.47% to 42.73%, according to unofficial results.
Dems win some closely watched U.S. House races, others too close to call
In the closely watched race for U.S. House in the 17th congressional district, Democrat Chris Deluzio has defeated Republican Jeremy Shaffer to succeed Rep. Conor Lamb. Unofficial results show Deluzio leading 52.28% to 47.72%. In the nearby 12th congressional district, Democrat state Rep. Summer Lee defeated Republican Mike Doyle to become the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House from Pennsylvania. Across the state in the 7th congressional district, Democrat incumbent Rep. Susan Wild declared victory over Republican Lisa Scheller early this morning, although media outlets had not yet called the race. And to the north in the 8th congressional district, Democrat incumbent Rep. Matt Cartwright leads Republican challenger Jim Bognet. This race had also not been called as of early this morning.
Several school choice champions win state legislative seats
Even as several races for the Pennsylvania Legislature remain too close to call, in several other key races, candidates who are passionate about educational opportunity secured victory last night. In western Pa., Republican Marla Brown defeated 14-term Democrat incumbent Rep. Chris Sainato. Across the state in Bucks County, school choice champion Kristen Marcell won an open seat for state House. Two other strong advocates for educational opportunity will be moving from the House to the Senate, as Rep. Tracy Pennycuick defeated Jill Dennin in the 24th Senate District (Montgomery and Berks counties) and Rep. Greg Rothman defeated James Massey in the 34th Senate District (Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties).
GOP holds Pa. state Senate; several state House races still too close to call
Politics PA reports that after yesterday, Republicans hold a 28-22 majority in the state Senate. With 25 of the chamber’s 50 seats up for election, the story gives the latest rundown of winners (per unofficial results) in each contest. On the House front, multiple races remain too close to call. You can check out unofficial vote tallies for state House races, district by district, here (but note that votes in some races are still being counted).