Pennsylvania primary replay: Trump, Biden clinch victory; Casey and McCormick will compete for Senate
All eyes were on Pennsylvania on Tuesday as the key swing state held pivotal elections that could send a clear message for November's race for the White House.
While former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden already locked down their respective party nominations, they both swiftly won the Republican and Democratic primaries in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, garnering even more support.
Sen. Bob Casey, D-Penn., and David McCormick, a businessman, won the Democratic and Republican Senate primaries, and they'll face off in the fall in what's expected to be a close race.
Rep. Summer Lee, D-Penn., won a tough primary battle in the state's 12th congressional district against Bhavini Patel, a member of the Edgewood Borough Council in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
But those weren't the only tight races on Tuesday. Here's a recap of the USA TODAY Network's live coverage of the latest primaries.
Eugene DePasquale secures Democratic bid for attorney general
Eugene DePasquale, the former state auditor general, beat a crowded field of opponents to win the Democratic primary for the open attorney general seat. He will face Republican David Sunday in what’s expected to be competitive general election race.
-Karissa Waddick
David Sunday wins GOP attorney general primary
David Sunday, a York County district attorney, beat state house member Craig Williams in the Republican primary. He’s set to face off against Democrat Eugene DePasquale in the November election.
-Karissa Waddick
Republican Ryan McKenzie wins primary in Pennsylvania's 7th District
Ryan McKenzie won the GOP primary to challenge Democratic Rep. Susan Wild for the Lehigh, Pennsylvania, area congressional seat in November. The seat in the state’s 7th District is a top target for Republicans in November.
-Karissa Waddick
Janelle Stelson to face GOP Rep. Scott Perry in PA’s 10th District
Democrat Janelle Stelson will challenge Republican Rep. Scott Perry for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional seat in November. Stelson beat five Democratic competitors in the primary.
A former news anchor, Stelson is aiming to win over independents and moderate conservatives in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, district to defeat Perry in the general election. The Cook Political Report has labeled the race as leaning in Perry’s favor.
-Karissa Waddick
Rep. Summer Lee fights off challenger in PA’s 12th District
Democratic Rep. Summer Lee beat Bhavini Patel in the primary for the state’s 12th district. Her win comes as a potential positive sign for other progressives in Congress who are facing challenges from moderate Democrats over their opposition to additional U.S. military aid for Israel.
Lee’s advocacy for a ceasefire in Gaza became a central theme of the campaign. Her opponent argued that Lee’s criticism of Israel hurt Biden’s reelection efforts. But those arguments ultimately did not win over voters.
-Karissa Waddick
Moderate Republican Brian Fitzpatrick fends off challenger in GOP race for 1st District
Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick defeated right-wing challenger Mark Houck in the Bucks County congressional primary, according to a call by the Associated Press.
The race was viewed as a test of how important the issue of abortion could be for the Republican Party’s base in 2024. Fitzpatrick is a widely regarded as a moderate Republican. Houck advocated for a near total ban on abortions, while Fitzpatrick has called for compromise.
– Karissa Waddick
David McCormick clinches GOP primary for closely watched Senate seat
David McCormick won the Republican nomination for Senate in Pennsylvania. He ran unopposed in the race and will face incumbent Sen. Bob Casey in the general election.
– Karissa Waddick
Donald Trump, Joe Biden lock down Republican and Democratic primaries
Donald Trump and Joe Biden won their respective party primaries in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, picking up dozens of additional delegates as they both seek a second term in the White House.
– Marina Pitofsky
Sen. Bob Casey wins Democratic Senate primary
Longtime Democratic Sen. Bob Casey won his party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate, after not facing any competition in the race. He will face Republican David McCormick in what’s expected to be a competitive, high dollar general election battle,
– Karissa Waddick
Where can I find Pennsylvania primary results?
Keep up with the latest results from the Keystone State here:
More: Pennsylvania Statewide and Presidential Primary Results
– Marina Pitofsky
Where are Biden and Trump?
Neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump campaigned in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, despite it being a major general election target for both candidates.
Instead, Trump appeared in a New York City courtroom for the second day of witness testimony in his hush money trial. And Biden delivered a speech in Tampa, Florida, attempting to tie Trump to the southern state’s law banning abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.
Both candidates traveled to Pennsylvania last week for major campaign stops ahead of the primary.
– Karissa Waddick
Is Dean Phillips on the Pennsylvania ballot?
Yes – but the Minnesota congressman is no longer running against Joe Biden for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Phillips, the former chair of the Talenti gelato empire, suspended his longshot bid against Biden in early March after suffering a string of double-digit defeats.
Pennsylvania was in the process of printing its primary ballots at the time he dropped out.
– Karissa Waddick
Will Pennsylvania Democrats vote “uncommitted” over Israel-Gaza war?
Pennsylvania does not have an “uncommitted” option on its presidential primary ballot like other states. But that isn’t likely to stop Democrats who plan to cast a protest vote opposing Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel and Hamas war.
The group Uncommitted PA is encouraging Democrats to write-in “uncommitted” on their ballot to advocate for an immediate ceasefire in the war. However, it may be difficult to gauge the impact of the effort. The state election office is unlikely to report a tally of the write-in votes.
– Karissa Waddick
Will Pennsylvania Democrats vote “uncommitted” over Gaza war?
Pennsylvania does not have an “uncommitted” option on its presidential primary ballot like other states. But that isn’t likely to stop Democrats who plan to cast a protest vote opposing Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel and Hamas war.
The group Uncommitted PA is encouraging Democrats to write-in “uncommitted” on their ballot to advocate for an immediate ceasefire in the war. However, it may be difficult to gauge the impact of the effort. The state election office is unlikely to report a tally of the write-in votes.
– Karissa Waddick
Donald Trump endorsed David McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate primary
Before he entered the courtroom for his New York hush money trial on Tuesday, Trump urged voters to the polls in Pennsylvania.
Trump supported GOP Senate candidate David McCormick in his campaign to unseat Democratic Sen. Bob Casey.
“It’s very important to let them that we’re coming on Nov. 5, we’re coming big,” Trump said. “Pennsylvania get out and vote.”
– Karissa Waddick
Polling shows Trump and Biden in virtual tie
With less than seven months until the general election, a RealClearPolitics average of national polls shows the presidential race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in a dead heat.
The average, calculated based on polls published between mid-March and mid-April, has Trump as 44.6% and Biden at 44.4%. The margin of error of +/- 0.2 is equal to the gap between the two candidates.
– Karissa Waddick
Who is Janelle Stelson?
Janelle Stelson, a former new anchor, is running as a Democrat in the state's 10th Congressional District. Her name recognition means she's looking like the frontrunner in the race, though she was also a longtime registered Republican who switched her registration last year.
– Marina Pitofsky
Moderate Republican fights to keep seat as GOP battles over abortion
In Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District, longtime Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is being challenged on his right flank by a candidate who believes abortions should be banned in nearly all circumstances — including in cases of rape and incest.
Mark Houck, Fitzpatrick’s opponent, was acquitted of criminal charges stemming from an altercation at an abortion clinic. The incident reportedly inspired him to run for public office. A devout Catholic, Houck co-founded the men's religious group The King's Men. He's worked as an author, motivational speaker and human resources manager.
Fitzpatrick is a moderate Republican. He is one of a handful of Republican representatives serving in districts that Biden won in 2020.
The primary race could demonstrate just how important the issue of abortion is for the Republican Party’s base.
Donald Trump and Joe Biden aren't the only candidates competing in 2024
The rematch between Joe Biden and President Donald Trump is top of mind for most voters across the country this election season. But down-ballot races – including congressional and state-level races – are also sure to have a major impact.
And some already are.
In a competitive special election for a state house seat in deep-red Alabama last month, Democrat Marilyn Lands won by nearly 25-points. Lands made abortion and in-vitro fertilization access a central point of her campaign. Her win was seen as a testament to the salience of those issues for voters in 2024.
– Karissa Waddick
Rep. Summer Lee faces primary challenger over Israel-Hamas war
A Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District could reveal just how salient the Israel and Hamas war is for Democratic voters – particularly in swing areas of the country.
First-term progressive Rep. Summer Lee, who was among the early advocates calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, is facing a primary challenge from moderate Bhavini Patel over her opposition to the war.
Patel, a 29-year-old municipal council member, has framed the incumbent's criticism of Israel as detrimental to Biden’s re-election efforts
– Karissa Waddick
Malcolm Kenyatta and Mark Pinsley fight to compete against Tim DeFoor
State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley are the two Democrats competing to face off against Pennsylvania's Auditor General Tim DeFoor.
Kenyatta previously ran for Senate in Pennsylvania, finishing third in the primary now-Sen. John Fetterman won in 2022.
– Marina Pitofsky
How many delegates does Joe Biden have?
Joe Biden has picked up 3,078 delegates as he seeks another term in the White House. He needed 1,968 to clinch the Democratic nomination.
Biden is widely expected to win the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, which would grant him 159 additional delegates.
– Marina Pitofsky
When are the 2024 conventions?
The Republican Convention will run from July 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Democratic Convention will take place a month later, from August 19-22, in Chicago, Illinois.
– Karissa Waddick
Which states haven’t held primaries yet?
While the results of the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries are all but set, a number of states still haven’t voted in either party’s race. Those states include Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota. The District of Columbia held it’s GOP primary in March, but Democrats in the territory will cast their ballots in June.
– Karissa Waddick
Can I vote in Pennsylvania?
First-time voters or individuals who are casting a ballot in a new precinct will need to show identification, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Acceptable identification includes a driver's license, student ID, a firearm permit, a current paycheck and more.
It is a closed primary, meaning that only voters who are registered Democratic or Republican may vote on candidates in their respective parties.
– Teresa Boeckel
What are the key Pennsylvania House races to watch?
1st District: Longtime Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is being challenged on his right flank by Mark Houk, a candidate who believes abortions should be banned in nearly all circumstances – including in cases of rape and incest. The primary race could demonstrate just how important the issue of abortion is for the Republican Party’s base.
7th District: Three Republicans – Kevin Dellicker, Ryan Mackenzie and Maria Montero – are competing to take on Democratic Rep. Susan Wild. Her seat is a top target for the GOP in November.
10th District: Six Democrats are vying for the Democratic nomination to challenge GOP Rep. Scott Perry in the November election. Perry was a former chair of the Freedom Caucus, one of the most conservative factions of the Republican Party and was a key figure in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Democrats see an opportunity to flip the seat in the general election.
12th District: Bhavini Patel is running against incumbent Rep. Summer Lee with a message centered on the Israel and Hamas war. Patel has cast herself as a more moderate, pro-Israel candidate and has criticized Lee for her opposition to providing U.S. military aid to Israel.
Who is running for Pennsylvania Attorney General?
Five Democrats and two Republicans are also battling for the open state attorney general position, once held by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. Michelle Henry, who is completing the remainder of Shapiro’s term since he was elected governor in 2022, is not running for the position.
Candidates in the Democratic primary include Eugene DePasquale, Keir Bradford-Grey, Joe Khan, Jared Solomon and Jack Stollsteimer.
On the Republican side, state house member Craig Williams is facing off against York County District Attorney Dave Sunday.
− Karissa Waddick
Can independents vote in primaries in Pennsylvania?
No, only registered Republicans and Democrats can cast their ballots in their party primaries. However, independent voters can vote on ballot questions.
− Marina Pitofsky
How many delegates does Donald Trump have?
Donald Trump has picked up 1,915 delegates as he seeks another term in office. He needed 1,215 delegates to lock down the 2024 Republican nomination.
The former president is expected to pick up 67 delegates in Pennsylvania's GOP primary on Tuesday.
− Marina Pitofsky
Abortion fight plays out in Pennsylvania attorney general election
Abortion has roiled down-ballot races across the country, and Pennsylvania is no exception. Reproductive rights have been a major topic in the attorney general’s race.
All five Democratic candidates for attorney general have committed to protecting the right to abortion and access to FDA-approved medications such as mifepristone. Meanwhile, the Republican candidates have said that they do not believe the state constitution guarantees the right to an abortion.
As attorney general, both sides would leave the issue for the state legislature to decide.
− Karissa Waddick
What time do the polls close in Pennsylvania?
Polls close in Pennsylvania at 8 p.m. ET. Anyone in line by 8 p.m. can vote.
Absentee and mail-in ballots also must be returned and received by election officials by 8 p.m.
– Karissa Waddick
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump, Biden clinch Pennsylvania victory; Summer Lee beats challenger
