Pennsylvania primary voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide on congressional and state contests that could change America's political landscape in 2024.
The battleground state features a closed primary system which means only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote to decide who will represent the party on November's ballot. Independent or unaffiliated voters can't cast ballots in the primary election.
U.S. Senate Race
In a key race for the U.S. Senate, Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger David McCormick, both running unopposed, will shape the November ballot.
The intense and costly contest could sway control of the Senate next year. Recent polling data from RealClear Polling shows Casey leading McCormick by an average of 5.7 points among Pennsylvanians in a number of polls.
Casey, seeking his fourth term in the Upper Chamber, is a Pennsylvania political stalwart, while McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO, has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.
The Keystone State matchup could be pivotal in drawing voters to the polls for not only the Senate race, but in a battleground White House matchup. President Joe Biden won the state in 2020, but Trump took Pennsylvania in 2016.
Biden holds a slight 0.5-point lead over Trump in Pennsylvania, according to recent RealClear Polling averages.
House Races to Watch
In the U.S. House races on the primary ballot on Tuesday, 44 candidates, including all 17 incumbents, are vying for the chance to be on November's ballot.
Democratic Reps. Summer Lee in the 12th Congressional District, who's been outspoken in support of a ceasefire in Gaza, and Dwight Evans, in Philadelphia, face primary challengers, while Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick faces potential challengers in suburban Philadelphia.
In the 7th Congressional District, Republicans are preparing for a challenge against Democratic Rep. Susan Wild, with potential GOP contenders Ryan Mackenzie, Kevin Dellicker, and Maria Montero.
Additionally, in the 1st Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick faces off against anti-abortion activist Mark Houck. Democrat Ashley Ehasz, who lost to Fitzpatrick in 2022 for the same seat, is running unopposed and will face the Republican winner in the fall.
Attorney General Race
Another fiercely contested contest in the state is the race for Pennsylvania attorney general, which features no incumbent.
This position is crucial, as past attorneys general have frequently ascended to higher political offices, such as Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and former GOP Gov. Tom Corbett.
The Democratic slate of candidates for the top law enforcement official in the state include Keir Bradford-Grey, Eugene DePasquale, Joe Khan, Jared Solomon, and Jack Stollsteimer, while Republicans Dave Sunday and Craig Williams are vying for the spot on the November ballot.
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