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2h ago

Shapiro Enters High-Dollar Fight Over Pennsylvania Supreme Court Retention Votes

The governor’s new ad highlights a nationalized effort to sway unusual yes-or-no ballots that could leave the court deadlocked.

FILE - The Pennsylvania Judicial Center, home to the Commonwealth Court, is pictured on Feb. 21, 2023, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
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FILE - A sign on a door at The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is pictured at the Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa., Feb. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
FILE - Philadelphia Judge Kevin Dougherty, a Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania Supreme Court, speaks during a debate in Harrisburg, Pa., Oct. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Overview

  • Gov. Josh Shapiro appears in a newly launched ad urging voters to retain Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht in November’s yes-or-no elections.
  • Spending is on pace to exceed $10 million this cycle, with AdImpact tracking roughly $4 million in Democratic ads and $1.5 million from Republicans already booked.
  • Republican-aligned groups tied to billionaire Jeffrey Yass, including Commonwealth Partners, are funding targeted TV and mail campaigns, with critics calling some mailers misleading.
  • Democrats are emphasizing records on abortion access, voting rights and labor, and the justices cite recommendations from the Pennsylvania Bar Association and endorsements from Planned Parenthood and labor unions.
  • If voters reject the justices, vacancies in January could produce a 2-2 partisan split until 2027 unless interim appointees from Shapiro win state Senate approval requiring a two-thirds vote.