The “Red Wave” was strong nationally, as well as Pennsylvania row offices, but there was no change in the PA General Assembly.
Democrats will stay in control of the Pennsylvania House by one seat after holding off strong GOP challenges in Northeast Philadelphia, the city’s suburbs, and the heart of Trump country.
In the state Senate, Republicans easily maintained their majority after the election. That means the uneasy relationship between the chambers that has slowed policymaking to a crawl will continue in 2025.
Both parties spent big in their quests to keep and flip seats. Candidates in 21 competitive legislative races and their allies spent at least $34 million between May 14 and Oct. 21. The total is sure to rise as campaigns submit their final reports and the full weight of independent spending becomes clear.
The election caps a stop-and-start session that was among the least productive in recent history due to a lack of compromise between the divided legislature.
All told, in the 2023-2024 legislative session, Shapiro had signed just 210 laws as of election day, the lowest total since the 2009-10 session — the last in which the state House and state Senate weren’t controlled by the same political party.
In the Senate, Democrats and Republicans each flipped one seat on election day — meaning the chamber will keep its 28-22 split in favor of Republicans.
Democrat Patty Kim, a current state representative, won a Dauphin County district represented by Republican John DiSanto. But her flip was countered by one from the GOP. Former Republican congressional staffer Joe Picozzi beat state Sen. Jimmy Dillon (D., Philadelphia) in the 5th District.
Leadership elections were held last week for the PA General Assembly. No changes in Senate Majority leadership, while Senate Minority Leadership saw several. In the House, two changes in the Majority leadership, while the Minority cleaned house and elected almost an entirely new leadership slate.
Senate leadership teams for 2025-2006 session:
Majority Caucus: Republican 28
Interim President Pro Tempore: Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland)
Leader: Joe Pittman (R-Indiana)
Whip: Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster)
Appropriations Chair: Scott Martin (R-Lancaster)
Caucus Chair: Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York)
Caucus Secretary: Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington)
Caucus Administrator: Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne)
Policy Chair: Dan Laughlin (R-Erie)
Minority Caucus: Democrat 22
Leader: Jay Costa (D-Allegheny)
Whip: Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia)
Appropriations Chair: Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia)
Caucus Chair: Maria Collett (D-Montgomery)
Caucus Secretary: Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks)
Caucus Administrator: Judy Schwank (D-Berks)
Policy Chair: Nick Miller (D-Lehigh)
House Leadership 2025-2026
Majority Caucus: Democrat 102
Speaker of the House: Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) – will be D nominee
Majority Leader: Rep. Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery)
Appropriations Chair: Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia)
Whip: Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh)
Caucus Chairman: Rep. Rob Matzie (D-Beaver)
Caucus Secretary: Rep. Tina Davis (D-Bucks)
Caucus Administrator: Rep. Leanne Krueger (D-Delaware)
House Democratic Policy Committee Chair: Rep, Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie)
Minority Caucus: Republican 101
Leader: Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton).
Whip: Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington).
Appropriations Chair: Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana).
Caucus Chairman: Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia).
Caucus Secretary: Rep. Clint Owlett (R-Tioga/Bradford).
Caucus Administrator: Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland).
House Republican Policy Committee Chair: Rep. David Rowe (R-Snyder/Union/Mifflin/Juniata).