Democrats pick up state Senate seat as they win 2 special elections in PA

Democrats picked up two wins in special elections for vacant seats in the General Assembly, securing their narrow, one-seat majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, while gaining a member in the GOP-controlled state Senate. 

McKeesport police officer Dan Goughnour, the Democratic nominee in the special election for House District 35, defeated Republican Charles Davis on Tuesday, while Republicans failed to retain a Senate seat in the state’s 36th Senate District, as Democratic nominee and East Petersburg Borough Mayor James Andrew Malone beat GOP Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons, a win that gives Democrats 23 members in the 50-person Senate. 

Democrats in both chambers celebrated the wins on Wednesday, with House Democratic leaders promising “practical and pragmatic results” now that their majority has been restored, and Senate Democrats casting Tuesday’s special election win as a rebuke of President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda.

Democrats flip Pennsylvania Senate seat

The vacancy in the 36th Senate District resulted after then-Senate Majority Whip Ryan Aument, a Republican, announced in December that he would resign from his post to take a job as state director for U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick. 

Malone, who was first elected as mayor of East Petersburg Borough in 2017, secured 26,951 votes in Tuesday’s special election, while Parsons received 26,469, according to unofficial state election returns. At press time, Libertarian candidate Zachary Moore had picked up 480 votes, while Malone led Parsons by 482 votes. 

Parsons announced Wednesday on social media that he conceded the race to Malone. 

“Having reviewed the numbers from last night, including the fact that there are not enough provisional or other outstanding ballots to change the overall result, I have called Mayor Malone to congratulate him and wish him the best,” Parsons wrote in a series of posts on X. “Again, I truly appreciate those who supported us, contributed, or worked hard in our state Senate run. I love Lancaster County and feel blessed to know so many wonderful people here in our community.”

Senate Democratic Caucus leaders said the victory for their party signals a rebuke of the Trump administration’s early work in Washington, D.C. 

“The people of Lancaster County were loud and clear: Decency and commonsense beats the Trump and Musk agenda of hatred, chaos, and misery,” Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa said Tuesday night in a statement. “I am thrilled to welcome another outstanding champion for Democratic values to the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats, and I look forward to working with him to continue fighting for a government that works for every Pennsylvanian.”

Senate Democratic Campaign Committee Chair Sen. Vincent Hughes described the race as “a referendum on the chaos Washington Republicans have brought to our state and the silence and inaction Harrisburg Republicans have responded with.” “Voters are fed up, and they showed up tonight in Lancaster,” Hughes said. “Mayor Malone is the leader we need right now. Through this campaign, he has been thoughtful, listened to his neighbors and is ready to deliver on the promise of rational governance.”

The result even drew the attention of tech entrepreneur and Trump adviser Elon Musk. In a post on X, Musk wrote “Damn” in response to a post from conservative activist Scott Presler showing Democrats in the lead in the 36th Senate District..

In a statement following his win, Malone pushed back on characterizations that the district wasn’t competitive for Democrats, and said he’s ready to get to work in Harrisburg.

“A lot of people from around the state and country said this district wasn’t competitive, and they’d never elect someone from the other party, but I think that underestimates Lancaster,” Malone said in a statement. “We are watching our values be denigrated in Washington as our leaders in Harrisburg watch silently. I talked to this district, and I listened, and we agreed it’s time to act. I am ready to get to work for our district, county, and state.”

House Democrats retain one-seat majority

Democrats also retained a seat in the state House of Representatives this week after the death of Democratic state Rep. Matt Gergely left the 35th House District seat vacant.

Democratic nominee and McKeesport police officer Dan Goughnour won the special election to fill the 35th House District seat, defeating Republican Charles Davis by a little over 3,000 votes, according to state election returns.

“I’m humbled and grateful that voters have put their trust in me to serve the 35th District and carry on Matt Gergely’s legacy of service to this community,” Goughnour said in a statement on Tuesday night. “I’m grateful to everyone who gave their time and resources to this campaign, and now I look forward to delivering real results for the Mon Valley.”

Pennsylvania House Democratic Campaign Committee leaders celebrated Tuesday night’s victory while also using it as an opportunity to reflect on Gergely’s life and career. 

“With this victory, House Democrats have defended our majority once again. We still mourn the loss of Matt Gergely, and we are grateful to have Representative-elect Dan Goughnour joining our caucus with his commitment to carrying on Matt’s legacy of service in the 35th District,” HDCC leaders said. “Our humble Democratic majority will continue delivering practical and pragmatic results for the people of Pennsylvania.”