Pennsylvania Democrats Retain Control of State House, Ensuring a Shift in Policy and Lasting Impact on the State

Pennsylvania Democrats Retain Control of State House

Pennsylvania Democrats will retain their one-vote majority in the state House of Representatives after voters in Pittsburgh on Tuesday elected former congressional aide Lindsay Powell. The AP projected that Powell, a nonprofit worker and former staffer for the city of Pittsburgh, won the special election, tipping the balance of power in the statehouse’s lower chamber back to the Democrats.

The Democrats will now hold 102 seats in the House, compared to Republicans’ 101 seats. Republicans have a 28-22 majority in the Senate, creating a divided Legislature that has kept Democrats from passing priorities such as broadened protections for LGBTQ+ people and gun control measures and Republicans from wins on issues including school vouchers.

The divided Legislature has also meant Republican senators have been unable to take to voters proposed constitutional amendments limiting the governor’s power and implementing voter ID. The special election was held to fill the seat left vacant by Democrat Sara Innamorato, who left office to run for Allegheny County executive and will be the Democratic nominee for that office in the November general election.

Powell’s victory was expected due to the blue hue of the open district, but it is still an important win for Democrats. The party will now have a majority in the House, allowing them to pass legislation on their priorities. Republicans, meanwhile, will have to work with the Democrats to pass their own initiatives.

The results of the special election will have a lasting impact on the state of Pennsylvania. With the Democrats in control of the House, the state is likely to see a shift in policy that could have far-reaching consequences.