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6h ago

Pennsylvania Voters Decide Fate of Three Supreme Court Justices After Late Push by Trump and Shapiro

Defeats could leave the court split 2-2, with interim nominees facing a two‑thirds Senate hurdle.

Christine Donohue, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice running for another term, acknowledges applause after speaking to the crowd at a Lancaster County Democratic Party event, Oct. 29, 2025, in Lancaster, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
Democratic National Committee chairman Ken Martin speaks at a Lancaster County Democratic Party event in support of the party's candidates for state Supreme Court, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Lancaster, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy)
David Wecht in Wyomissing, Pa., in 2015.
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Overview

  • Voters are casting yes-or-no retention ballots for Democrats Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht to seek new 10-year terms.
  • If all three lose and temporary appointments stall, the court could be reduced to a 2-2 split through 2027 under the two‑thirds confirmation requirement in the Republican-controlled Senate.
  • Justice David Wecht called a short-handed court "disastrous," warning of frequent 2-2 ties and an inability to set binding statewide precedent.
  • The fight drew late national attention, with President Trump urging "NO, NO, NO" on Truth Social and Gov. Josh Shapiro deploying Election Eve robocalls to 150,000 Democrats urging a yes vote.
  • Spending is on track to exceed $15 million, with conservative groups including PACs tied to Jeffrey Yass funding a no campaign as both sides highlight stakes for abortion access, election rules and redistricting.