Democrat Lindsey Powell, a nonprofit activist and former City of Pittsburgh employee, won a special election Tuesday, giving her party control of the state House of Representatives. The Associated Press predicted.
Powell won the Democratic-leaning district in Allegheny County vacated by former state Rep. Sarah Innamorato. Innamorato left office to run for Allegheny County executive The Democratic candidate for that position in the November general election.
Powell’s victory was expected because of the blue color of the open district, but it was even more important because it pointed to the balance of power in the statehouse’s lower chamber returning to Democrats, who would hold 102 seats after he took office, compared to 101 for Republicans. .
In 2022, the Democratic Party won the Rajya Sabha majority For the first time since 2010Operates on maps drawn by state courts. But they soon lost complete control over the room As three seats are vacant. In February, Democrats regained the majority in Allegheny County after three special elections.
Tuesday’s special election victory puts the party in control A chamber of the Statehouse and Governorship In a key 2024 battleground state, there are Democrats He flipped a US Senate seat last year.
And, with two major elections coming up — and not just in next year’s presidential race Democratic Senate. Bob Casey’s re-election bid — the Keystone State is sure to play a big role in the coming political battles.
Powell will join the state assembly Democrats clash with Republicans in the state Senate over some provisions in the $45 million state budget package, including whether to publicly fund some students’ access to private schools.
Powell’s opponent, local party leader Republican Erin Connolly Addenreath, campaigned in favor of vouchers to help send some public school students to private schools.
The Rajya Sabha is expected to reconvene at the end of September and address the budget package.
Implications of a Democratic-led government The House and a Democratic governor are already clear in the state. Bills for this have been passed in the Rajya Sabha this year Raise the minimum wage, Affirms the right to collective bargaining In the state constitution, and Allocation of funds for mental health assistance.
On Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that people will be automatically registered to vote when they get a driver’s license or state ID card.
