Democrats secure their second flip of the cycle while protecting our one-seat House majority in Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON— Democrats just scored two key victories in Pennsylvania: flipping Senate District 36, which Donald Trump carried by 15 points, and defending Democrats’ one-seat House majority. This is the second time this year that state legislative Democrats have flipped a GOP district and the fifth majority-deciding special election in which Democrats emerged with a win. Defending control of the Pennsylvania House is on the DLCC’s target map as we look ahead to 2026.
Both of these races build the party’s impressive trend of overperformance at the state legislative level in 2025. Building power in state legislative chambers across the country is more important than ever, as Democrats in state legislatures are holding the line against the dangerous policies of the Trump Administration.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“It’s only March, and Democrats have defied the odds again with another upset victory in Republican territory. Democrats are on a roll in state legislative races in 2025, from flipping red seats to defending one-seat majorities, which should put Republicans on edge. Both wins affirm Democratic leadership in a moment when GOP power is synonymous with chaos. While we celebrate our victories tonight, control of the Pennsylvania House still hinges on a single seat. As the only organization dedicated to building Democratic power in state legislatures, the DLCC is ready to keep up the fight – especially in special elections as we gear up for competitive races in 2025 and 2026.”
The DLCC is the official arm of the Democratic Party with the sole mission of building Democratic power in the states and setting the national agenda at the state level. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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