Particle.news
Download on the App Store
40 ARTICLES
·
3h ago

Pennsylvania Voters Retain Three Justices, Preserving Supreme Court’s 5–2 Democratic Majority

The outcome averts a potential 2-2 deadlock that could have stalled precedent-setting decisions through 2027.

FILE - Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty speaks at his swearing in ceremony at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Jan. 5, 2016.
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)
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania chambers.
Image

Overview

  • Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht were retained, with Dougherty and Wecht winning new 10-year terms and Donohue set to serve until her mandatory retirement in 2027.
  • The Associated Press and major outlets projected the results shortly before 10 p.m., confirming the court’s current alignment remains intact.
  • Spending topped $15 million as Democrats and allied groups vastly outpaced Republican-aligned efforts on late TV, while President Donald Trump urged “NO” votes and Barack Obama and Gov. Josh Shapiro backed retention.
  • The court is positioned to continue shaping rulings on voting rules, redistricting and abortion with consequences for the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race.
  • Retention defeats are rare in Pennsylvania, and the result sidesteps a partisan appointment fight in the Republican-controlled Senate that could have left the court shorthanded.