(The Center Square) – Five weeks before a general election that could decide control of the state Legislature for the next couple of years, Democrats announced that Gov. Josh Shapiro endorsed four challengers to state Senate incumbents in the hope his party can gain control of the chamber that now held by Republicans.
Recent polling has shown that Shapiro has a double-digit lead in his own bid for re-election against Republican challenger and state Treasurer Stacy Garrity.
Republicans currently control the Senate by a 27-23 margin and Democrats control the House by a 103-100 count. Pennsylvania is one of only three states in the nation where control of the Legislature is divided between parties.
Shapiro, frequently discussed as a potential presidential candidate in 2028, said his party has “a real opportunity” to expand its House majority and “flip control of the state Senate for the first time in decades.” Issues a strengthened Democratic legislative contingent could focus on, he said, would include raising the minimum wage, lowering costs, job creation, housing, abortion rights, and statute of limitations reform.
“That’s what we’re working to deliver in these midterms,” Shapiro said.
Republican State Leadership Committee Press Secretary Matt Laux said the Democratic announcement was revealing.
“Josh Shapiro’s continued investment in down-ballot races makes one thing clear: Democrats are willing to spend whatever it takes to seize full control of Harrisburg,” Laux said. “These races will determine the direction of Pennsylvania, and voters have a clear choice between Republicans focused on lowering costs and delivering results and Democrats pushing a costly, out-of-touch agenda.”
All four of the Republican incumbents whose challengers got a nod from Shapiro are committee chairs in the Senate.
They are Sen. Jarrett Coleman of Lehigh County, chair of the Intergovernmental Operations Committee; Sen. Frank Farry of Bucks County, chair of the Institutional Sustainability & Innovation Committee; Sen. Rosemary Brown of Monroe County, chair of the Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee; and Sen. Tracy Pennycuick of Montgomery County, chair of the Communications & Technology Committee.
Senate challengers endorsed by Shapiro were:
Eileen Albillar, the Bucks County clerk of courts, who is running against Farry in Senate District 6. It represents part of Bucks County.Chris Thomas, a former middle school teacher, construction worker, community organizer, and volunteer firefighter, who is running against Pennycuick in District 24. It covers parts of Berks and Montgomery counties.Mark Pinsley, the Lehigh County controller, who is running against Coleman in District 16. It covers parts of Bucks and Lehigh counties.Brian Wrightson, who has worked in emergency services, public safety, and expanding rural broadband access, and is seeking the District 40 seat held by Brown. The district includes Monroe County and parts of Lackawanna and Wayne counties.
Shapiro also endorsed Democrats in 11 House races. Earlier in the year, he endorsed Sen. James Malone of Lancaster County in his bid for re-election.
