RELEASE: DLCC Announces Spotlight Candidate in Majority-Making Pennsylvania House Special Election

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Democrat Dan Goughnour’s March 25th special election will determine control of a top DLCC target chamber

WASHINGTON—The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) today announced 

Dan Goughnour as a Spotlight candidate in the March 25th special election that will determine control of the Pennsylvania House. Democrats defended their 1-seat majority in Pennsylvania in 2024 and the current vacancy has left the chamber tied.

Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:

“This special election is a crucial opportunity to protect Democratic power in one of the most competitive chambers in the nation. The outcome of Dan Goughnour’s race will determine the future of Pennsylvania – in this race, voters will decide if they want increased extremism and chaos with a GOP majority or progress on the issues that matter most with Democrats in charge. The balance of power hinges on this seat and the DLCC is in lockstep with Pennsylvania Democrats to win this special election.”

Dan Goughnour (HD-35) is a McKeesport Police Department officer running for the Pennsylvania House in a majority-making special election this March. Dan has served his local community as a law enforcement officer for over sixteen years and is now Captain of Police Detectives. If Dan wins a seat in the Pennsylvania House, he plans to promote safe communities and bring opportunities to working families. Dan is committed to being a strong supporter of public schools, first responders, and increased access to quality job training programs.

The DLCC recently released its target map featuring the Pennsylvania House as one of the top priorities of the upcoming election cycle. The Pennsylvania House Democratic majority hinges on a single seat and the DLCC has played a key role in protecting the chamber, including through 8 majority-making special elections last cycle. Defending control of the Pennsylvania House will strengthen Democrats’ firewall in state legislatures and counterbalance the MAGA extremism of Trump and Washington Republicans. 

Democrats have had impressive wins in special elections so far this year, flipping a seat in Iowa defending one-seat Democratic majorities in the Minnesota Senate and Virginia House and Senate, and holding seats in Maine and Delaware

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. 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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