Overview

• The court’s 5-2 Democratic majority could narrow if Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty or David Wecht fail their yes-or-no bids, with implications for rulings on elections, abortion and redistricting.
• Outside spending has topped $8 million, making this the most expensive retention election in Pennsylvania history, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and legal analysts.
• Democrats have enlisted the DNC and the DLCC for field and media support, while GOP-aligned Commonwealth Partners and the Republican State Leadership Committee are funding vote-no efforts.
• Conservative activist Scott Presler’s Early Vote Action is running targeted operations, including outreach in Bucks County and a 100,000-text push this week.
• If a justice is rejected, Gov. Josh Shapiro can nominate a temporary replacement who must be confirmed by the Republican-controlled state Senate.