Following a furious season of campaigning, Election Day finally arrives Tuesday, and Philadelphia voters figure to play an important role in who becomes the next president of the United States.
Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump and their surrogates have been criss-crossing Pennsylvania in an attempt to capture the swing state’s 19 electoral votes. Campaign advertisements have been bombarding those in the Philadelphia region for weeks.
Harris, in particular, has been trying to drum up turnout in the city – a Democratic Party stronghold – bringing in rock star Bruce Springsteen, former President Barack Obama, actor Robert De Niro, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and others to build excitement.
Trump and the GOP are hoping to peel away as many votes as possible in Philadelphia and its collar counties, while running up wide margins in the commonwealth’s more conservative regions.
Pennsylvania will also be in the national spotlight for a critical U.S. Senate race, in which Republican businessman Dave McCormick is trying to unseat incumbent Democrat Bob Casey Jr.
Democrats and Republicans are also vying for statewide row offices, and there are a couple of contested local races farther down the ballot.
Federal
In case the television commercials, text messages and door-to-door canvassers have not reached everyone, Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are on the Democratic ticket, while the GOP slate is composed of Trump and Ohio U.S. Sen. JD Vance.
The most significant twists and turns on the campaign trail (so far) occurred in July, when Trump was injured in an assassination attempt in western Pennsylvania. About a week later, President Joe Biden, in the aftermath of a disastrous debate showing, pulled out of the race, and the Democratic Party quickly coalesced around Harris.
Jill Stein, of the Green Party, and Libertarian Chase Oliver will also be on the ballot for president in Pennsylvania.
McCormick ran for Senate two years ago, losing in the Republican primary to celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz in a seat ultimately won by Democrat John Fetterman. Casey, a Scranton native, is seeking a fourth term in the Senate.
Third party candidates include John C. Thomas (Libertarian), Leila Hazou (Green) and Marty Selker (Constitution Party).
Democratic U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle, first elected to Congress in 2015, is seeking another term against GOP candidate Aaron Bashir, who has run for a variety of positions in recent years.
In a U.S. House district that covers sections of South and Southwest Philadelphia, along with parts of the city’s southern and western suburbs, military veteran Alfeia “Alfe” Goodwin, a Republican, is challenging incumbent Democrat Mary Gay Scanlon.
U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, a Democrat, is unopposed on the ballot in his quest for reelection.
Statewide
Competitive races are expected Tuesday for Pennsylvania attorney general, auditor general and treasurer.
Former Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale emerged from a crowded Democratic primary in April as the party’s attorney general nominee. On the Republican ticket is York County District Attorney Dave Sunday.
The winner will replace Michelle Henry, who chose not to run after being appointed by Gov. Josh Shapiro to serve the remainder of his term when Shapiro became governor last year. The attorney general is the commonwealth’s top law enforcement official.
Also appearing on the ballot will be Robert Cowburn (Libertarian), Richard L. Weiss (Green), Justin L. Magill (Constitution) and Eric L. Settle (Forward Party).
The auditor general conducts investigations to provide oversight of the state’s finances, similar to the role of the city controller in Philadelphia.
Incumbent Republican Timothy DeFoor, who is pursuing his second term, is being challenged by North Philadelphia state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.
Kenyatta is also running unopposed for his seat in the House of Representatives; should he prevail in the auditor general contest, a special election would likely be called to fill the position once he resigns.
Reece Smith (Libertarian), Eric K. Anton (American Solidarity Party) and Bob Goodrich (Constitution) are also running for auditor general.
Democrat Erin McClelland, who has experience as an addiction and mental health counselor, is attempting to unseat current GOP state treasurer Stacy L. Garrity. Third party hopefuls include Nickolas Ciesielski (Libertarian), Troy Bowman (Constitution) and Chris Foster (Forward).
Pennsylvania’s treasurer oversees deposits and withdrawals from state funds.
PA Senate and House
Of the 30 seats in the state legislature up for election Tuesday in Philadelphia, only two are being contested, and both districts are in the Northeast.
Sen. Jimmy Dillon, a Democrat, took office two years ago in a special election. Republican Joe Picozzi – young upstart who previously worked in the U.S. House of Representatives – is taking him on.
Two newcomers – Democrat Sean Dougherty and the GOP’s Aizaz Gill – are vying to represent the 172nd House District. In the April primary, Dougherty defeated incumbent Kevin Boyle, amid reports that Boyle had been dealing with mental health issues.
Democratic Sens. Nikil Saval, Sharif Street and Vincent Hughes will not face any competition on the ballot.
In the state House, Democrats Amen Brown, Pat Gallagher, Ed Neilson, MaryLouise Isaacson, Joe Hohenstein, Jason Dawkins, Jose A. Giral, Malcolm Kenyatta, Ben Waxman, Elizabeth Fieldler, Regina G. Young, Jordan A. Harris, Rick Krajewski, Roni Green, Joanna E. McClinton, Morgan Cephas, Tarik Khan, Keith S. Harris, Danilo Burgos, Darisha K. Parker, Chris Rabb, Andre D. Carroll, Jared Solomon and Anthony Bellmon are unopposed.
No one will appear on the ballot in the 170th House District beside Rep. Martina White, whose district is based in the Far Northeast. She is the only Republican from Philadelphia currently in the state legislature.
Philadelphians will not be prompted to answer any ballot questions in the 2024 general election.
