PA Voters Retain 3 Dem Justices, Preserving 5–2 Majority On State Supreme Court
Pennsylvania voters on Tuesday chose to retain three liberal justices on the state Supreme Court — a result that secures Democrats’ 5–2 majority on the influential bench, according to NBC News projections.
Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht each survived retention elections, allowing them to remain on the state’s highest court. Dougherty and Wecht secured new 10-year terms, while Donohue will serve until 2027, when she reaches Pennsylvania’s mandatory judicial retirement age of 75.
Under state law, justices must face a simple up-or-down retention vote every decade. Although few have historically been removed, this year’s elections drew national attention due to the court’s central role in shaping election law, redistricting, and abortion policy — issues that could directly impact the 2026 gubernatorial and 2028 presidential elections.
Democrats and their aligned groups outspent Republicans by a margin of nearly 5-to-1, pouring more than $13 million into television ads since October 1. Republicans, by contrast, spent about $2.8 million.
In one joint campaign ad, the three justices boasted that they had “protected access to abortion and your right to vote, even when the powerful came after it.” The ad drew sharp criticism from conservatives who argued that judges should remain impartial rather than campaigning on partisan policy issues.
Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, who is up for re-election next year and is widely seen as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, appeared in a commercial backing the justices. Former President Barack Obama also weighed in, urging voters to support their retention.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump urged Pennsylvanians to reject the liberal bloc, posting on Truth Social: “Vote ‘NO, NO, NO’ on Liberal Justices Donohue, Dougherty, and Wecht.”
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has long been a flashpoint in national politics. In 2018, the court struck down a Republican-drawn congressional map, paving the way for Democratic gains in the U.S. House. In 2022, it upheld the state’s controversial mail-in voting law, and last year, the Democratic majority reversed a precedent that had upheld a ban on Medicaid funding for abortions.
Had all three justices been removed, the court would have been deadlocked 2–2 through 2027, effectively freezing its ability to issue major rulings — a development that could have curtailed Democratic judicial activism in the state.
Justice Wecht told NBC News before the vote that losing the liberal majority “would be disastrous.” Following the election, he said he celebrated quietly with his family. “I’m really honored that the people showed this confidence in me,” he said. “I intend to serve the people with fidelity.”
In Minnesota, the mayoral race in Minneapolis remained undecided as ranked-choice ballots continued to be counted late Tuesday.
Incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey expressed confidence after early results showed him leading with roughly 42% of first-choice votes, compared to 32% for State Sen. Omar Fateh, who campaigned on a more progressive platform.
“This city showed up once again,” Frey told supporters. “We got what appears to be record turnout, and I’ll tell you what — it looks damn good for us.”
Fateh, however, urged patience. “Tonight, we stay patient,” he said at his watch party. “We stay proud because this campaign has already changed the conversation for what Minneapolis can be.”
Both candidates are Democrats. Fifteen contenders appeared on the ballot, though Frey and Fateh were the only serious competitors. Ranked-choice vote counting will continue Wednesday, with second- and third-choice preferences determining whether either candidate surpasses the 50% threshold required to win.