Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has successfully defended his seat in the GOP primary for the 1st District, winning over his right-flank challenger Mark Houck. This marks his continued success in fending off primary opponents since his initial election in 2016. Fitzpatrick will now face Democrat Ashley Ehasz in the upcoming fall election, a rematch of their 2022 contest where Fitzpatrick won by 10 points.
Meanwhile, state representatives Brown and Salisbury are holding off challenges from the left in West Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas, respectively. The New York Times reports that Blackwell and Green may have split the vote against Rep. Brown while Selena King is projected to defeat former Fetterman staffer Jim Wertz in the Democratic race for state Senate in Erie County.
Looking ahead to the state treasurer race, whoever secures a spot on the ballot may face challenges given Pennsylvanians’ views on the economy. According to a GBAO/Fabrizio Lee/Wall Street Journal poll, Pennsylvania voters are more positive about the U.S. economy’s direction compared to voters in other swing states. However, satisfaction with the Pennsylvania economy specifically is lower, with only 20 percent believing it has improved in the last two years.
In other news, Dave Sunday has been projected as the Republican nominee for attorney general after winning over 66% of the vote and leading on Republican side with 31% reporting. On the Democratic side, Eugene DePasquale currently leads with 39% and 54% reporting.
