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.
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.