These 19 candidates are running in must-win races across the battleground state
WASHINGTON — Today, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced its Spotlight Candidates in Pennsylvania to protect the Democratic majority in the House and make gains in the Senate. Including 15 House candidates and 4 Senate candidates, these targeted races will serve as a guidepost as the DLCC works to increase Democratic power to keep Republican extremism in check and deliver the progress that Pennsylvanians deserve.
To watch the unveiling of the DLCC’s spotlight candidates, click here.
Returning the Democratic majority in the House and making gains in the Senate are top priorities for the DLCC in 2024. The DLCC has been on the frontlines of supporting Pennsylvania Democrats in their fight to win and defend their majority in the Pennsylvania House, defending the majority in six special elections in 2023 and 2024. In the Senate, where half of the seats are on the ballot this year, the chamber margins are the closest they have been in a decade.
The Democratic majority in the House and the current Republican majority in the Senate have been pushing vastly different agendas, highlighting the stakes of the upcoming election. While House Democrats have fought to increase gun safety, protect reproductive freedom, and advocate for equal pay, Senate Republicans are working to vilify immigrants, target LGBTQ+ curriculum in schools, and make voting more difficult.
The DLCC invested early in Pennsylvania this cycle, a state that is a true battleground at all levels of the ballot. Earlier today, the DLCC hosted a press conference with DLCC President Heather Williams and Democratic House candidates to announce the DLCC’s Spotlight designations.
DLCC’s 2024 Spotlight Candidates In Pennsylvania Are:
- Rep. Mandy Steele (HD-33)
- Rep. Jim Haddock (HD-118)
- Rep. Brian Munroe (HD-144)
- Rep. Paul Takac (HD-82)
- Rep. Rob Matzie (HD-16)
- Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (HD-121)
- Anna Thomas (HD-137)
- Anna Payne (HD-142)
- Sara Agerton (HD-88)
- Hadley Haas (HD-44)
- Cristian Luna (HD-13)
- Bill Petulla (HD-28)
- Anand Patel (HD-18)
- Elizabeth Moro (HD-160)
- John Inglis (HD-38)
- Rep. Nick Pisciottano (SD-45)
- Rep. Patty Kim (SD-15)
- Nicole Ruscitto (SD-37)
- Jim Wertz (SD-49)
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“It’s no exaggeration to say that this is the most important year in state legislative campaign history. Reproductive freedoms, LGBTQ+ rights, gun safety, and democracy itself are all on the line, and Pennsylvania Republicans are poised to launch an assault on the freedoms we hold dear. Donald Trump’s MAGA agenda is being decided and implemented in the states – building Democratic power in state legislatures has never been more important.
“That’s why we’ve recruited a stellar slate of candidates running for both the Pennsylvania House and Senate. Our DLCC Spotlight candidates are products of their communities whose values and lives are interwoven within their neighborhoods. They are veterans, working parents, immigrants, and business owners, and they’re already out in their communities knocking on doors and having conversations with voters. Some of them are stepping up to run for office for the first time and are ready to meet this moment, while others already have a strong record in elected office of delivering for their constituents.
“Strong state legislative campaigns across the state will change not just the future of Pennsylvania, but also the country. Turnout at this ballot level will drive success up and down the ballot, helping ensure a Biden victory in a key battleground state. The stakes couldn’t be higher.”
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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