Journalist Roundtable: PA House and Senate Elections

The Spark

Katie Meyer and Stephen Caruso of Spotlight PA joined The Spark's journalist roundtable for a segment on Pennsylvania House and Senate Elections. Democrats' hold one seat margin in the House, while Republicans control the Senate by six seats.

"Right now, the Senate is controlled by Republicans and the House is controlled by Democrats by just one vote. So, I mean, both of them are in play. Republicans have held the Senate for a very long time. So that is, I think, less likely. But the House could really go either way. And there are a number of races that Stephen in particular has been sort of laser focused on as the most important ones that could flip control. So it's very important. Right now, Pennsylvania's the only divided legislature in the country, I think, still. And we have a Democratic governor. So that makes it difficult for them to really do anything. And so this is going to be it's going to have a huge impact on Pennsylvanians, "Said Meyer.

Caruso shared which districts are competitive in this years senate elections.

"Democrats have been minority for a while, almost minus a small time in the 90s, basically since the 80s that they had they had a literally like a six month majority or so. So Republicans have controlled the chamber. And to flip it where Democrats have to win in Erie, a seat in Allegheny and a seat in central Pennsylvania and around Harrisburg. And they'd also have to hold one seat in Allegheny County, and that would just tie the chamber. That would basically give them a majority without getting in the legislative walker. But because of that, like, those are the main races. And I think it's just a hard path for Democrats to try and tie the chamber and get some control, "said Caruso.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.