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Republicans maintain control of the Pa. Senate, despite potential for the chamber to flip for the first time in 30 years

Democrats had been hoping for a “blue wave” to carry them to a voting tie with the GOP in the Senate.

The state capitol building in Harrisburg.
The state capitol building in Harrisburg.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer

Republicans held on to their majority in the Pennsylvania Senate, fending off Democrats in several competitive races across the state to maintain control of the 50-seat upper chamber of the state legislature.

Though Pennsylvania’s 2022 redistricted maps set up Republicans to hold control of the chamber, Democrats hoped for a “blue wave” to carry them to a voting tie with the GOP. The last time Democrats controlled the state Senate was in 1994.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, made several state Senate endorsements and sent $350,000 to the Senate Democrats’ fundraising arm, in hopes of achieving a Democratic “trifecta” in the state House, Senate, and governor’s mansion. However, he spent significantly more — $1 million — trying to help House Democrats maintain their narrow majority.

Half of the 50-member state Senate was up for election to four-year terms this year, while the rest is up for reelection in 2026.