Pennsylvania high court retention races heat up
Three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices — Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht — face Nov. 4 retention votes as Republicans mount a campaign to chip away at Democrats’ 5–2 majority after controversies over COVID rules and election decisions. The races, now the state’s most expensive retention contests with more than $8 million raised and spent, have drawn national attention; a recent Franklin & Marshall poll shows each Democrat with a 10%+ lead among likely voters, though about half of registered voters remain undecided. If any justice loses, Gov. Josh Shapiro could name a temporary replacement subject to confirmation by the GOP‑controlled Senate until the next election in 2027.
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📌 Key Facts
- Democrats currently hold a 5–2 Pennsylvania Supreme Court majority
- Justices Donohue, Dougherty and Wecht are on Nov. 4 retention ballots (10‑year terms, retirement at 75; Donohue is 73)
- Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette: $8M+ raised/spent, making it the most expensive PA retention election
- Franklin & Marshall poll: each Democrat up 10%+ among likely voters; about half of registered voters undecided
- If a justice fails retention, Gov. Josh Shapiro can appoint a temporary replacement, requiring GOP Senate confirmation, until 2027