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yesterday

Shapiro Joins Costly Fight Over Pennsylvania Supreme Court Retention Votes

A new gubernatorial ad highlights a nationalized campaign with heavy outside spending in an unusually contested yes-or-no judicial election.

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 - 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 - 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

  • Pennsylvania voters will decide in November whether Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht receive new 10‑year terms in retention votes with no party labels.
  • Gov. Josh Shapiro appears in a new ad urging voters to support the trio, citing protections for abortion access, birth control and voting rights.
  • Defeat of the justices could drop the court from a 5–2 Democratic majority to a 2–2 split, and interim appointments would require a two‑thirds vote in the Republican‑controlled state Senate, raising the prospect of vacancies until 2027.
  • Spending is on pace to exceed $10 million, with Democrats booking about $4 million in ads and Republicans about $1.5 million so far, fueled by unions and trial lawyers on the left and groups tied to billionaire Jeffrey Yass and national GOP entities on the right.
  • Republican operations are targeting registered Democrats with mailers and TV spots urging 'no' votes, while the justices tout endorsements from the Pennsylvania Bar Association, labor and Planned Parenthood.