Pa. primary election: Sean Dougherty defeats incumbent in state House race; Eugene DePasquale and Dave Sunday win attorney general nominations
A tight race remained in a West Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania House district.
One race remained too close to call after Pennsylvania's primary election Tuesday. Follow live updates Wednesday.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump officially won their primaries, setting the stage for a November rematch.
The primary cemented the high-profile Senate match-up between Democratic incumbent Bob Casey and Republican Dave McCormick.
Republican Dave Sunday and Democrat Eugene DePasquale won their parties' nominations for attorney general, one of the most-competitive and highest-profile races on the ballot.
Few issues were reported at Philadelphia-area polling places throughout the day, though turnout was generally reported to be low.
Here's how The Inquirer is reporting the results of Pennsylvania's primary election.
Follow along with live Pennsylvania election results for federal races and state row offices and the Pennsylvania legislature.
Follow live Pennsylvania primary election updates Wednesday
One race – the Democratic primary for the West Philly-based 10th state House District – remained too close to call after Pennsylvania's primary election Tuesday. Follow live updates Wednesday.
West Philly state house race too close to call
Cass Green, the progressive Democrat who was one of two candidates hoping to unseat Amen Brown in the 10th state House District primary, addressed the couple dozen supporters left at the Painted Bride shortly after 11:30 p.m.: The race was too close to call.
Still, she was optimistic.
“I'mma give it to you straight,” she said. “You better pray and believe that we got this.”
Protesters urged Pa. Dems to cast ‘uncommitted’ votes against Joe Biden. The primary showed an uptick in write-ins.
Preliminary primary voting results from the state’s largest Democratic counties showed a higher percentage of write-in votes on the Democratic presidential party line than in the 2020 presidential primary, a possible sign of protest votes cast against President Joe Biden.
Progressive organizers mounted a campaign urging voters to write in “uncommitted” as a protest vote over Biden’s ongoing support to Israel in its monthslong war against Hamas that has claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives. The group known as Uncommitted PA hoped to send a message to Biden in a critical swing state he’ll need in November.
But unlike Michigan and some other states, Pennsylvania doesn’t offer an “uncommitted” option on the ballot so it’s impossible to know what voters wrote in as of Wednesday. It might not be clear for weeks.
Summer Lee supporters praise her 'principled stances'
Shortly before midnight, supporters of U.S. Rep. Summer Lee continued to hang out at the extravagant Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, which can be seen from the Roberto Clemente Bridge.
“Summer Lee for Congress” was projected in the middle of a split stairwell that led to her party, and a black, white, and gold step-and-repeat donned the same message upstairs.
Tanisha Long, 34, who lives in the West End in Pittsburgh and is the Allegheny County Political Director for Straight Ahead, which endorsed Lee, said that she would still support Lee even if her organization didn’t.
Democratic primary for West Philly-based Pa. House district too close to call
The Democratic primary for the West Philadelphia-based 10th District of the Pennsylvania House was too close to call late Tuesday night, with State Rep. Amen Brown holding a narrow lead over progressive challenger Cass Green.
The three-way primary was a rematch between Brown, 36; Green, 64, a community organizer; and radio personality Sajda “Purple” Blackwell, 47, who was a distant third. The Democratic district includes Mantua, Powelton, and parts of University City and Logan Square.
There is no Republican running in the general election, so the winner of the primary faces a clear path to the statehouse in November.
Philly voters approve ballot measure giving community groups legal protections
For years, neighborhood groups in Philadelphia have urged local officials to provide them with legal protections due to their city-sanctioned involvement in zoning matters, which could place them at odds with monied business owners.
Now Mayor Cherelle L. Parker will have to figure out how to indemnify Registered Community Organizations (RCOs), after Philadelphia voters approved a ballot question Tuesday requiring the city to do so.
Previous mayoral administrations blanched at the idea, fearing the city would end up paying legal bills for community organizations they had little control over and which occasionally indulged in bizarre, reactionary, or even illegal behavior.
Sean Dougherty and Aizaz Gill win primaries for Northeast Philly state House seat
Sean Dougherty unseated seven-term incumbent State Rep. Kevin Boyle in Tuesday’s Democratic primary Tuesday in a Northeast Philadelphia district and will advance to the general election in a critical race that could help determine which party controls the state House.
House Democrats poured more than $300,000 into Dougherty’s campaign in Northeast Philadelphia in recent weeks, hoping to unseat Boyle – who sought reelection without the party’s support as his family said he’s struggling with a serious mental health condition.
On the Republican side, consultant Aizaz Gill won the GOP nomination for the seat, which Republicans are focused on flipping in November.
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee frames win as proof of the strength of progressive politics
In her victory speech Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee framed her win as proof of the strength of progressive politics.
“Our movement is stronger than every GOP billionaire that exists,” she said. “Our movement is stronger than any wedge issue, is stronger than any opportunist.”
The Associated Press called Lee’s primary against challenger Bhavini Patel at 9:21 p.m. She had 55.9% of the expected vote.
Erin McClelland stunned by upset over State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro: 'The only endorsement that matters is the one on election day'
Erin McClelland, the Democratic nominee for state treasurer, said she was stunned by her upset over the party-backed candidate State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D., Erie). But she knew she had the right policy-focused message for voters.
Bizzarro had outraised McClelland 5-to-1 and received dozens of endorsements from advocacy organizations across the state.
“The only endorsement that matters is the one on election day,” McClelland told The Inquirer.
Joe Khan concedes in Democratic race for attorney general: 'It's hard to come all this way and come up a little short'
For much of the night, attorney general candidate Joe Khan trailed in the polls at around 15% of the vote; just after 10 p.m., the Associated Press called the race for Eugeune DePasquale, one of Khan's five competitors.
"As much as I wanted me to be the nominee, as much as you wanted me to be the nominee, It doesn't look like that's going to happen," Khan told his supporters, saying he had just gotten off the phone with DePasquale, telling the candidate he had his support.
"It's hard to come all this way and come up a little short," Khan continued, mentioning his campaign was "outgunned" and "outspent" across Pennsylvania; he did, however, commend Bucks County Democratic voters for offering him a majority of their support.
Former TV news anchor Stelson says she's ready to take on U.S. Rep. Scott Perry
Janelle Stelson, a former WGAL television news anchor, who won a tough six-way primary Democratic race Tuesday to face Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry in the fall, said she’s ready for another fight to win the 10th District.
In a social media post Tuesday night, Stelson, 63, called Perry an “insurrectionist.”
“I am honored to be your nominee to take on insurrectionist,” (Scott) Perry, she said. “Together, we can defeat his extremism and chaos and bring commonsense problem-solving back to Congress.”
Erin McClelland defeats State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro in Democratic primary surprise upset
Erin McClelland defeated State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro on Tuesday, despite key endorsements Bizzarro secured from the state Democratic party and the last Democrat to hold the office.
A resident of the Pittsburgh suburbs, McClelland has worked in mental health and substance abuse treatment, most recently for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. She argued that experience prepared her to manage Pennsylvania’s finances and pledged not to invest the state’s pension funds in foreign holdings.
McClelland goes on to a competitive general election against Republican incumbent Stacy Garrity. Garrity defeated Democrat Joe Torsella in a surprise upset in 2020, marking the first time in nearly 20 years a Republican had beat an incumbent Democratic state row office holder.
» READ MORE: Erin McClelland defeats State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro in Democratic primary surprise upset
— Katie Bernard
Democrats are 'all going to unite and work as hard as we can' in November, State Rep. Jared Solomon says
State Rep. Jared Solomon, who was one of five Democrats seeking the nomination for attorney general, had not officially conceded as of 10 p.m. but thanked supporters and said he would back the winning Democrat in November.
Moments later, the Associated Press called the race for his opponent, Eugene DePasquale. He will take on Republican nominee Dave Sunday, the York County District Attorney, in November.
Asked if he had a message for DePasquale, Solomon said Democrats are “all going to unite and work as hard as we can.”
— Anna Orso
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta gives victory speech: 'Thank you from the bottom of my heart'
In his victory speech, State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta thanked the 100 of so people who gathered to wait out his win.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said, excited but seemingly not surprised about a triumph that had been widely predicted.
He added, “I want to thank all the people who didn’t support my campaign. Sometimes, we forget what we did all this for. It was to make life better for working people who’ve given up on the political process.”
Eugene DePasquale wins Democratic primary election for attorney general
Former Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale won Tuesday night’s Democratic primary election for attorney general in a crowded field and will face York County District Attorney Dave Sunday, who handily won the Republican primary, in the November general election.
DePasquale, 52, was one of five Democratic candidates vying to become the state’s next top prosecutor. He was the only Democrat in the field who has previously held statewide elected office and the only one from Western Pennsylvania, with the rest hailing from the southeast.
DePasquale is a former York County state lawmaker who also served two terms as auditor general during former Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration. He is credited for getting the auditor general’s office more attention, due to his investigations into the backlog of untested rape kits and unanswered calls to the state’s child abuse hotline. He said protecting the environment and reducing gun violence are among his top priorities.
'Accountability and redemption is what we need,' Dave Sunday says in victory speech
Shortly after the Republican attorney general primary was called in his favor, York County district attorney Dave Sunday walked down from the makeshift campaign headquarters at his election party to applause.
"It's a great night in York County," said State Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill before introducing Sunday.
Sunday thanked his mom, his wife, and his young son, all of whom were at the party at the Central Market House in downtown York. Sunday also thanked his employees, many of whom were in attendance, and the police officers at the party.
Dave McCormick accepts Republican nomination: 'Pennsylvania deserves better than Bob Casey'
The energy was contagious as countless supporters crowded the upstairs of Mario’s East Side Saloon in Pittsburgh chanting “Dave! Dave! Dave!” as he stood in front of an American flag backdrop, clapping along with his wife Dina, to accept the Republican nomination. He said he and Dina just got off their bus, which he’s using to tour across the state as part of his campaign. He jokingly said he likes to refer to the tour as their “second honeymoon.
McCormick started his speech by praising Dina, and the crowd also chanted her name.
His speech largely focused on describing Senator Bob Casey as a weak leader.
Republican State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie will take on Democrat U.S. Rep Susan Wild
Longtime Republican State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie will take on Democrat U.S. Rep Susan Wild in November as she seeks to defend the Lehigh Valley swing district.
The Associated Press declared Mackenzie the winner of the three-way race that also featured Maria Montero and Kevin Dellicker.
Throughout his campaign Mackenzie highlighted his early support for former President Donald J Trump alongside his record in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. First elected to the legislature in 2012, Mackenzie argued his record passing bills that cut taxes and required employers to run immigration checks on workers set him apart from his competitors.
Trump in interview with Action News says Biden is destroying 'places like Philadelphia and Pennsylvania'
Former President Donald Trump did a one-on-one interview with Philadelphia ABC affiliate Action News via satellite from New York, where he’s sitting through a hush-money criminal trial.
Trump talked to Action News Tuesday morning as Pennsylvanians headed to the polls on primary day.
“We have to get the vote out. We have to show support because we are right now confronted with the worst president in the history of our country,” Trump told Action News’ Walter Perez.
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta wins Democratic race for auditor general
Malcolm Kenyatta, a Democratic state representative who represents North Philadelphia, defeated Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley Tuesday. He advances to the November general election, and will take on Republican incumbent Timothy DeFoor.
The auditor general serves as the state’s fiscal watchdog and reviews government departments and agencies. DeFoor was elected in 2020 and did not face a GOP primary opponent this year.
Despite lacking a background in auditing, Kenyatta argued in his campaign that his experience on Pennsylvania House committees that oversee state agencies prepared him for the job. He proposed bringing back school bureau audits and creating a bureau focused on employee misclassification.
Janelle Stelson wins Democratic primary to face U.S. Rep. Scott Perry
Janelle Stelson, a former WGAL television news anchor, won the Democratic primary to face U.S. Rep. Scott Perry in the fall in a central Pennsylvania congressional race that’ll be closely watched.
Stelson, 63, previously asked Perry, a six-term Republican incumbent, questions as a nonpartisan journalist. Now, she’ll answer questions herself, in competition with him. The 10th Congressional District includes Dauphin County and parts of York and Cumberland Counties.
“At some point, I realized I needed to move from the public service of telling about our concerns and issues to actually trying to do something about them, to get to Washington, raise my right hand and work on the issues and concerns that people have been telling me about for 38 years now,” she said in an interview earlier this month.
Sean Dougherty enters election night party to supporters' applause
Sean Dougherty arrived around 9 p.m. and entered the bar to claps from supporters. He shook hands and hugged those gathered at the bar making his way around the room which was filled with around 40 people.
Asked how he felt about the voter turnout today he said, “I don’t know the numbers. I understand that it’s a very low turnout, which is disappointing, but I understand it’s a primary. But I’m still waiting on the final returns,” he said.
He said family, friends and constituents had come out in support tonight.
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee staves off Bhavini Patel
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, a progressive Democrat, staved off a moderate challenger to retain her Pittsburgh-area seat Tuesday.
Lee defeated Bhavini Patel, overcoming criticism that she was too far to the left for the district and too critical of President Joe Biden. Lee will likely face Republican business executive James Hayes in November.
A freshman congresswoman, Lee won her first primary in 2022 by less than 1,000 votes. Upon entering office Lee, the first Black woman to represent Pennsylvania in Congress, became a member of “the Squad,” a group of progressive Democrats, including New York’s Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Missouri’s Cori Bush.
— Katie Bernard, Aliya Schneider
Dave Sunday wins GOP primary race for Pa. attorney general
York County District Attorney Dave Sunday won the Republican primary for attorney general.
Sunday, 48, rode the state Republican Party’s endorsement and his record as a prosecutor to the Republican nomination over State Rep. Craig Williams (R., Delaware).
Republican leaders coalesced around Sunday months before the primary, as the state GOP wanted to avoid its previous errors in the 2022 election where they left the primary races open that party members blame as their reason for losing in the November election. Sunday got the Republican Attorneys General Association endorsement early as well, giving him a leg up in the state party’s endorsement process.
Dave Sunday's supporters gather in York
An hour after polls closed, about 100 people waited inside the Central Market House in downtown York, hoping for news of Dave Sunday's victory in the Republican primary for attorney general.
Sunday, the York County district attorney, is backed by the state Republican Party. Prominent Republicans, such as Commonwealth Partners head Matt Brouillette, State Rep. Seth Grove, and State Rep. Dawn Keefer, mingled with Sunday's supporters next to the market's food stalls and coffee shops, which were closed for the night.
Guests, most of whom were middle-aged and older white people, dined on Chick-fil-A wraps and chicken bites and drank cans of Yuengling. American flags abounded, printed on napkins and platters. Some wore red York County Republican party shirts. There was just one red Trump hat in the crowd.
— Juliana Feliciano Reyes
Tuesday's election was 'relatively calm and successful,' Pa. Secretary Al Schmidt says
Tuesday was a “relatively calm and successful primary election” Pennsylvania Secretary Al Schmidt told reporters during a briefing Tuesday night.
Over the course of the day, Schmidt said, his office’s voter hotline received about 600 calls. By comparison, he said the hotline received around 3,600 calls during the 2020 primary election and 1,100 calls during the 2022 primary election.
“That is not an insignificant number but it is a significant decrease, one that we believe demonstrates that Pennsylvania’s voters encountered and improved voting experience this year,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans thanks supporters after primary win: 'I do not take your support lightly'
Democratic U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, who likely secured a fifth term by fending off a Democratic challenger Tuesday, took to social media shortly after the primary election to say he’s ready to “fight like crazy” for the 3rd Congressional District.
“Thank you to all of the voters of the 3rd Congressional District for voting for me. I do not take your support lightly and I'm ready to fight like crazy to make sure our Democratic slate wins in November. Tonight we celebrate and tomorrow let's get to work!”
Evans easily defeated former Philadelphia Register of Wills Tracey Gordon, and he does not have a Republican challenger in the November general election. He represents most of Philadelphia west of Broad Street and parts of South Philadelphia.
State Rep. Amen Brown awaits results in Parkside
Supporters of State Rep. Amen Brown (D., Phila.) gathered at Cafe Breezes in Parkside on Tuesday night and broke into applause when the initial results were posted online.
In the first batch of votes, which were all mail-in ballots, Brown had a lead over progressive community organizer Cass Green and radio personality Sajda “Purple” Blackwell.
Attendees at his results party watched the NBA playoffs and chowed on wings while waiting for further results.
Sean Dougherty's supporters gather for election party in Northeast Philly
At The Red Rooster Inn, green tinsel was hung up on the wall and at least 10 televisions were playing a Phillies vs. the Cincinnati Reds game, as people trickled into the bar around 8:30 p.m., where some 35 people had gathered for Sean Dougherty’s election party.
Supporters, some dawning T-shirts that said “Sean Dougherty for State Representative” sat at tables drinking beers or mingling on the high top chairs at the bar. A rendition of “Fast Car” by Luke Combs played over the speakers. A buffet with trays of pork, roast beef and pasta, was set up.
Dougherty’s sister, Kaitlin Dougherty, 25, who works as a paralegal, was among the crowd. Asked how she felt waiting for the results she said, “It’s nerve wracking, but I’m excited.”
Jared Solomon awaits results in Democratic race for attorney general in Northeast Philly: 'I had an absolute blast'
A few dozen supporters of Democratic candidate for attorney general Jared Solomon gathered in the back of BUCCANN, a Dominican restaurant in Northeast Philadelphia, to watch returns roll in as dance music blared.
His voice hoarse after months of campaigning, Solomon — a state representative — said he felt confident he'd prevail and reflected on what was his first statewide campaign.
"I had an absolute blast," he said. "I constantly saw a common thread, and that's the values our party represents."
Fitzpatrick on primary victory: 'Our community has spoken with an overwhelming voice'
After his victory in Tuesday’s primary election, incumbent U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a moderate Republican, said his district was “not far-left or far-right, we are centrist and pragmatic.”
Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent, defeated challenger and anti-abortion activist Mark Houck in the GOP primary for the 1st Congressional District.
“Once again, our community has spoken with an overwhelming voice in support of unity, collaboration, moderation and bipartisanship,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement posted on his election website.
Rep. Amen Brown accused of wrongfully campaigning inside polling places
Nearly every Philadelphia election, authorities receive complaints about political operatives flouting election law by trying to campaign inside polling places — and Tuesday was no exception.
The District Attorney’s Office received 11 reports of illegal electioneering throughout the day. While the office does not confirm individual investigations, The Inquirer identified a target of at least one complaint: State Rep. Amen Brown.
Brown, a Democrat seeking re-election against two challengers in West Philadelphia, bounced between polling places in West Philadelphia on Tuesday in his last-minute effort to court votes.
District Attorney Larry Krasner attends election night party for Cass Green
Supporters and volunteers for Cass Green, the community organizer running to unseat Amen Brown in the 10th state House District, filled the Painted Bride in West Philadelphia.
The room was abuzz as dozens of people trickled in to the tunes of disco, hip-hop, and pop.
“One time for Cass Green,” roared the DJ to applause as supporters waited for the guest of honor, calling Green the “President of 52nd Street.”
Supporters of Democratic attorney general candidate Joe Khan await results in Bucks County
The fate of Democrat Joe Khan's candidacy for attorney general could be decided steps from where he elevated his profile as Bucks County's solicitor.
Around 8:30 p.m. at Chambers 19 Bistro & Bar in Doylestown, the county seat, the grooves of MGMT's "Electric Feel" soundtracked a somber room full of patrons - most of them unaffiliated with the campaign - downing beers as they watched the Phillies struggle on the road.
Khan arrived at 8:40 p.m. and greeted campaign staff who were waiting on projections of the five-way race that's been largely seen as a toss-up.
Rep. Dwight Evans fends off Tracey Gordon
Democratic U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans has likely secured a fifth term in Congress, fending off a Democratic challenger Tuesday.
Evans defeated former Philadelphia Register of Wills Tracey Gordon Tuesday. No Republican is seeking to challenge him in November.
Evans, who represents most of Philadelphia west of Broad Street and parts of South Philadelphia, was the first Black representative to chair the House Appropriations Committee in 1990. In the GOP-controlled House of Representatives he now sits on the Ways and Means Committee which controls raising revenue and administering social programs including Medicare and Social Security.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick beats out Mark Houck in GOP primary for 1st Congressional District
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a moderate Republican, staved off a challenge from the right to win his party's nomination to retain his suburban district.
Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent who has represented Bucks County in the U.S. House since 2017, beat anti-abortion activist Mark Houck Tuesday in the GOP primary for the 1st Congressional District.
Framing himself as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, Fitzpatrick has joined Democrats in key votes on gun control and infrastructure since President Joe Biden took office. But he also voted to impeach Biden’s Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.
Biden and Trump officially win Pa. primary races
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump officially won Pennsylvania’s presidential primary Tuesday as the campaigns prepare for a November rematch pitting two vastly different leadership styles and political visions for the nation against each other.
Their primary victories were a foregone conclusion, but the closely contested general election will hinge on which of the deeply unpopular candidates is able to build a coalition in swing states like Pennsylvania.
“People can’t believe that we’re doing this again,” said Ray Courtney, a Lower Merion Township commissioner at the polls there on Tuesday.
Sen. Bob Casey and Republican Dave McCormick win uncontested primaries
Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican Dave McCormick won uncontested primaries in Pennsylvania Tuesday, launching what is expected to be one of the most expensive and politically consequential Senate contests in state history.
McCormick lost the 2022 Republican Senate primary to celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz by less than half a percentage point, but this time around the former hedge fund CEO and combat veteran coalesced support early to clear an easy path to the nomination.
“I believe in America,” McCormick told a Harrisburg TV station in an interview ahead of the primary. “I’ve served my country on multiple occasions in the past. I think we’re in trouble. And I believe that when elected to the Senate, I can do something about it.”
Polls are closed for Pennsylvania primary voting
Polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday for Pennsylvania primary election, marked by what appears to be low turnout throughout the region likely because of uncontested federal races, including president.
The Inquirer will be reporting results throughout the night.
As polls opened at 7 a.m., President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump had already been named presumptive nominees of their parties by the AP – setting up a 2020 rematch for November. And incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey faced Republican Dave McCormick were both in uncontested races to represent their parties in the fall general elections.
Montco voters see 'uncommitted' vote as a 'way to use our voice and not risk the election'
At the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, a polling place official estimated that about half of their votes today had been college students.
Two of those students, Emma Gross, 21, an international studies major, and Celia Huey, 19, an education and psychology major, both who attend Bryn Mawr College, said they voted uncommitted for Biden to send a message of protest about his handling of the situation in Gaza.
"In the primary system, it's our way to use our voice and not risk the election," Huey said.
South Philly voter focused on 'the economy, safety, security on the streets'
Brian Newswanger, 65, has been a Republican since he was 18. Although he works in real estate, where construction costs have become a big problem, he says the economy is only one of the issues that brought him out today.
“The economy, safety, security on the streets,” said Newswanger, after leaving the Mummers Museum on Washington Avenue, where he voted.
In the attorney general’s race, which is most focused on those issues, he thinks York County District Attorney Dave Sunday is the best choice to address those kind of issues.
Why is the contest for attorney general one of the most important PA races?
What time do polls close in Pennsylvania?
It's election day in Pennsylvania, with voters set to decide on their nominees for attorney general and other row offices, as well as some contested races for U.S. house and state seats.
Polls will remain open in Philadelphia and across the commonwealth until 8 p.m. As long as you're in line by 8 p.m., you'll be permitted to vote.
Here's a rundown of all the major races on the ballot today, and here are the congressional races to watch as results come in tonight.
Sen. Nikil Saval is 'committed to defeating Trump,' but wouldn't say whether he voted for Biden
State Sen. Nikil Saval arrived at the Arch Street Presbyterian Church polling station in the shadow of the Comcast Center around 5:30 p.m. The unopposed Democrat enthusiastically talked to voters about the Whole Home Repair program, an initiative that he championed.
Throughout the day, Saval heard voters’ concerns about the election in November and fear of former-President Donald Trump returning to the White House.
“It’s a hugely important election,” Saval said. “It’s important to beat Trump.”
Where to find Pa. primary election results, and how The Inquirer is reporting them
When polls close at 8 p.m. April 23, the results of primary elections for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, Pennsylvania State House and Pennsylvania Attorney General will start trickling in.
The Philadelphia Inquirer will post results live for all races during the course of the night.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have already been named presumptive nominees of their parties by the AP for a November rematch. And incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey is seeking a fourth term, and is expected to face Republican Dave McCormick in the fall general election.
'Nobody's complaining' about misprint that put Sen. Bob Casey in the wrong spot on sample ballot
Sen. Bob Casey is a household name in Pennsylvania politics. But his ballot number proved a bit more elusive in Tuesday’s election — for his friends in the Democratic party, at least.
A misprint on the Democratic City Committee’s sample ballot of endorsed candidates accidentally listed Casey as number “2” instead of his correct “3" position on the ballot.
The snafu is almost certainly harmless for Casey. The three-term senator is running unopposed in the Democratic primary ahead and has been focusing his campaign energy against his Republican challenger in November. The number “2” position on the ballot is assigned to President Biden’s former challenger who dropped out of the race, Dean Phillips.
'Uncommitted' Northwest Philadelphia voter hopes to send message to President Biden
Rachel Elfenbein voted for Biden in 2020. This year, she wrote “uncommitted” on her ballot to send the president a message on his stand on the Israel-Hamas war.
Elfenbein was inspired by how the “uncommitted’ vote won Michigan two Democratic delegates, back in February.
“It’s time for him to shift policies,” Elfenbein said. “Pennsylvania is a swing state and we can use our power as voters to let him know how disappointed we are with his ongoing support of this war.”
Ridley Township voters focused on the economy and crime
For Republican voters casting their ballot at Ridley High School, two of the biggest issues driving the presidential election are the economy and concerns about crime.
“I'm a senior citizen on a fixed income,” said Marion Severson, 75, a republican of about 40 years. “Every time I go to the store I have to leave something behind.”
Severson said she's worried about the cost of medicine and gas going up and feels as though her life has gotten worse under the Biden administration.
Scenes from primary election day across the Philly region
In South Philly, a lack of excitement about down ballot races
For Wesley Wheatley, 42, of South Philadelphia’s Whitman neighborhood says that primary elections are the most important time to vote — especially on down ballot races.
A registered Democrat who has been voting since he was 18, Wheatley says that primaries and off-year elections with low voter turnout give those who do turn out more power.
“I always try to stress to everybody that I know that this is, to me, the most important election to come out for,” said Wheatley. “Not just who's the mayor, Or who's the president…These are the ones [that] keeps our state representatives accountable to us.”
In Northeast Philly, a focus on crime
Regardless of who wins Tuesday's primary, voters in Bustleton, Rockledge, Rhawnhurst, and Fox Chase are hoping the election cycle will usher in a cohort of politicians who can work together to address what they view as an uptick in crime.
“It’s been getting worse in Fox Chase,” said 63rd ward Democratic committeeperson Veronica Baruch, 73, who’s lived on and off in the area for 15 years.
Bustleton lifer Ira Pitman, 72, hopes to see state representatives from the area work with Mayor Cherelle Parker and city councilpeople to hire more police officers — and dispatch them to the Northeast. Parker just earmarked millions of dollars in the police budget to go towards hiring, but the department is facing a persistent hiring shortage that could leave them short by nearly 1,000 officers in years to come.
Judge orders removal of fraudulent sample ballots in contested North Philly race
Some North Philadelphia voters were given sample ballots on Tuesday suggesting the city’s Democratic party had endorsed a pastor accused of making anti-LGBT comments over State. Rep. Malcolm Kenetta, the openly gay Democratic incumbent in the 181st State House District.
One problem: the ballots were fraudulent.
The Democratic City Committee is not backing Lewis Nash Sr. over Kenyatta — who is both seeking reelection and running for auditor general — as the sample ballots advertised.
At South Jazz Kitchen, two candidates for attorney general feel confident
As politicians from across the city made their way into South Jazz Kitchen for the luncheon sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans every election day, so did two candidates vying for attorney general: Philly’s former chief public defender Keir Bradford-Grey and Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
Both candidates said they were feeling confident about their chances in today’s election. The race for attorney general has been relatively sleepy, despite it being the most competitive race on today’s primary ballot.
“We’ve made history no matter what,” Bradford-Grey said. “We have the first African American woman on the ballot for attorney general, and it’s been giving people more understanding and awareness of what the role is and why we need to pay attention.”
At Famous 4th Street Deli, concern over low voter turnout
At the Famous 4th Street Deli in Queen Village, many of the more than two dozen politicos and elected officials who gathered for the traditional election day lunch were worried about one thing, and it wasn’t the daunting size of the reubens.
“It’s a very low turnout,” said State Rep. Danilo Burgos (D., Phila.), who is running unopposed in Tuesday’s primary. “It’s very slow. It’s concerning.”
Turnout was expected to be low in the Pennsylvania primaries given that the Democratic and Republican nominations for the presidential and U.S. Senate race were all but settled ahead of time. But Burgos and some other Democrats who dined at the deli said that early reports on voter participation were giving them pause about November, when Philadelphia will be key to President Joe Biden’s chances of winning Pennsylvania.
Low turnout at voting stations in Center City and Delco
Candidate signs were noticeably missing at the entrance to the voting station at General George A. McCall elementary and middle school in Center City.
The only person handing out campaign fliers was Bridget O’Toole, who made a last pitch on behalf of Democratic Attorney General candidate Jared Solomon.
“He’s just a great guy,” O’Toole said.
Republican Pa. house candidate getting some help from his father
Peter Gill has been handing out election literature outside the Rhawnhurst School since 7 a.m.
Why?
His son Aizaz is a Republican running to represent the 172nd District in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives, covering parts of Philadelphia — Bustleton, Fox Chase and Rhawnhurst — and Rockledge in Montgomery County.
Delco DA on his race for attorney general nomination: 'I'm having the time of my life'
Around 10 a.m., Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer greeted voters and volunteers outside the Chester Senior Center.
“I’m having the time of my life,” he told a passing driver as he leaned through the car window to shake their hand. “What could be more fun?”
It was only fitting that Stollsteimer make a morning pit stop in the Delaware County city that has been at the heart of his campaign to become the Democratic nominee for attorney general.
In Franklin Township, biggest issue isn't on the ballot
In Franklin Township, Chester County, one of the area’s biggest issue’s — a proposed campground at Big Elk State Park — wasn’t on the ballot, but evidence of the controversy was everywhere.
“Save Big Elk” signs were staked into the grass, among the dozens of signs for candidates outside the Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.
“It’s a bipartisan issue,” Dawn Dooling, a township supervisor, said outside the polling center there. “Everyone is against it.”
'Can’t believe that we’re doing this again': In Ardmore, voters focused on the Biden-Trump rematch
Voter turnout was slow at the polling station inside Lower Merion High School in Ardmore early Tuesday morning — and voters in the Main Line Democratic stronghold talked less about their excitement for President Joe Biden and more about their fear and shock over his coming rematch with former President Donald Trump.
“People can’t believe that we’re doing this again,” said Ray Courtney, commissioner for Ward 5 in Lower Merion Township, who talked with voters as he worked an information table at the high school.
Colleen Wortley, who works for the Lower Merion school district, said she kept waiting for something to happen as primary day approached — for Trump to be removed from the republican ticket over his criminal and civil trials, or for a younger Democrat to challenge Biden.
'We have to keep the majority': In Bucks County, tentative support for Brian Fitzpatrick
Wallace Simpkins, 76, of Warrington, voted Republican — “not even a question.” He said border security was a top concern: “We want to close the borders, the whole nine yards.”
He enthusiastically voted for former president Donald Trump. A retired gas worker who supports drilling in the Marcellus Shale, Simpkins said Trump was “for ‘drill, baby, drill.’“ He said Trump was being unfairly prosecuted, and that perception would be worsened if Trump were convicted: “If they put him in jail, that’s a lock. He’s in.”
“Anybody who says it’s not political — it is political,” he said of the prosecution.
More 'uncommitted' voters in Swarthmore
By 9 a.m., fewer than 40 voters had shown up to cast their primary ballots at the Swarthmore-Rutledge School in Delaware County.
As birdsong cut through the morning quiet, several students walked over from nearby Swarthmore College to voice their discontent with President Joe Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza by voting “uncommitted.”
“The situation in Gaza, the genocide that is ongoing, is something that needs to be addressed,” said James Lewis, 18, of Reno, Nev.
'It's good for your health': Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon encourages everyone to vote
Slow morning at the polls
Morning voting got off to a slow start at St. Thomas Cyro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church in Bustleton on Tuesday morning, where only seven people had voted by 8 a.m.
Parishioners filing in for morning Mass vastly outnumbered voters.
For those who did cast a ballot, foreign policy was front of mind.
Voters trickle into Neshaminy High School
People trickled into Neshaminy High School in Langhorne Tuesday morning, for a primary that appeared to be drawing the type of voter who always shows up at the polls.
“If you want to speak up, you have to vote,” said Judy McGullam, 77, of Langhorne, a “strong Democrat” who voted along with her husband Dennis McGullum, 81.
For Judy McGullam, who voted for President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, the cost of living and women’s rights are top issues — “I marched years ago for Roe” — as well as gun control.
'I felt very ready': Philly teen casts her first-ever vote
Amelia Baird turned 18 in December, and on Tuesday she cast her first vote. Outside Summit Presbyterian Church in Mount Airy, Baird said her AP government class at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy had prepared her well.
“I felt very ready,” Baird said. She is a newly registered Democrat.
Baird’s mother, Miriam Peskowitz, accompanied her to the polls before school. Peskowitz voted for Biden in 2020, but this year she voted “uncommitted” on a write-in line.
Philadelphia 2024 ballot question, explained
Philadelphia voters will see one question on their ballots Tuesday, asking:
Should the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to require the city to provide for the indemnification and defense of registered community organizations in connection with claims made against them arising directly out of their lawful participation in the city’s zoning variance process?
What does it mean?
Democrats again dominate mail-ballot requests
Pennsylvania had approved mail and absentee ballots for about 10% of the state’s registered voters as of Monday, according to election officials at the State Department.
About half of the approved ballots had been returned and submitted to the state by Monday, it said.
Democrats continue to dominate the mail ballots, with a 3:1 edge in approved applications. In the city, itself, however, the Democratic advantage is 10:1.
Five things we’re watching for in Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primary
The presidential primary election winners in Pennsylvania may be a foregone conclusion but there are still plenty of other storylines to watch for on Tuesday.
What turnout looks like in the state, how voters in different geographic areas turnout relative to past years, and whether voters sit out of the presidential election could offer clues for both parties in a critical swing state ahead of November.
» READ MORE: Five things we’re watching for Tuesday
— Julia Terruso
Democrats’ registration numbers slip in Pa., Philly
Democrats hold a registration lead across the state, however their numbers have dropped about 5%, compared with those for the 2020 presidential primary.
Republican registrations have increased about 5% since 2020 — and about 10% since 2016. But Democrats still hold about a 53-47 advantage — 3.9 million to 3.5 million — according to figures from the Pennsylvania State Department.
In Philadelphia, GOP registration totals were virtually unchanged, compared with 2016 and 2020, but the Democratic figure has slipped by 6% since 2020.
Weather will be primarily favorable
Primary day is getting off to a chilly start — the National Weather Service posted frost advisories across much of Pennsylvania — but nothing in the forecasts should discourage people from voting.
Most of the state will have sun between the times the polls open and when they close at 8 p.m., right around the times of sunset and the rising of the full moon.
In balmy Philly, which didn’t make the frost-advisory cut, temperatures are due to recover after bottoming out around 40 degrees at poll-opening time. Highs could approach 70, with no threat of any rain until the early morning hours of Wednesday.
What’s open and closed in and around Philly for the primary election: Trash pickup, mail, grocery stores, and more
Pennsylvania’s primary election is upon us, and although some businesses adjust their hours to allow employees opportunities to vote, it is not recognized as a federal holiday — meaning most, if not all, establishments will be open during their regular business hours.
All polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. There is mail delivery and banks will be open.
» READ MORE: What’s open and closed in and around Philly for the primary election: Trash pickup, mail, grocery stores, and more
— Sam Ruland
Pennsylvania primary election voters guide
Primary elections are held to determine who will represent each political party in the general election. Pennsylvania holds closed primaries, meaning that only members of a political party can vote in its primary.