Pennsylvania had two special elections take place on Tuesday, March 25 in eastern and western Pa. in the 35th state house district and the 36th state senate district.
Democrat Dan Goughnour won the open house seat over Republican Charles Davis, who is a volunteer firefighter, and Libertarian Adam Kitta According to the Associated Press. This now gives the Pa. Democrats have a slim majority in the Pa. House Of Representatives, 102-101. The 35th district serves the McKeesport area and areas of the Mon Valley.
The seat was left vacant after Democratic Rep. Matthew Gergely died in January 2025.
Goughnour is active in the Mckeesport community as he serves as a police officer and school board member. Goughnour is also a union member at Teamsters Local #205.
In the eastern part of the state, James Malone won the open Senate seat over Republican Josh Parsons and Libertarian Zachary Moore which serves the northern Lancaster County area.
Going into Election night the Republicans held a 27-22 majority now that has shifted to a 27-23 majority for the Republicans. The 36th Senate district has not had a Democratic state Senator since 1978.
“Obviously we are disappointed in the numbers. We are still reviewing them, but it appears we will come up a little short. We will have a further statement tomorrow. We appreciate all those who worked hard, supported our campaign, and came out to vote today,” stated Josh Parson on X.
This election in the 36th district has been seen as an upset.
Governor Josh Shapiro later stated in an X post, “Tonight in Lancaster County, Pennsylvanians rejected a candidate who embraced the extremism and division coming out of DC. In a district carried comfortably by Donald Trump just a few months ago, they chose a better way forward – an embrace of competence, commonsense, and a desire to bring people together. “
Democrats have had control of the Pennsylvania House since 2023, when they flipped 12 seats.
