Here’s a look at the candidates competing in Eastern Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Governor Race
Incumbent Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro is seeking a second term in office and is being challenged by Republican gubernatorial candidate and State Treasurer Stacy Garrity.
During his time in office, Shapiro has focused on growing Pennsylvania’s economy, securing education funding, and pursuing infrastructure investments. He has been supportive of legalizing recreational marijuana and raising the state’s minimum wage. He has been openly critical of the Trump administration, especially on immigration enforcement.
Garrity currently serves as Pennsylvania’s treasurer. Her campaign is focused on lowering taxes for working families, increasing school choice options for parents and students, and expanding natural gas production in the Commonwealth. Garrity is an outspoken supporter of President Trump’s agenda.
The race could have large implications for Pennsylvania, where the state legislature is divided. Democrats have a narrow majority in the state House, while Republicans control the Senate. Shapiro has had to negotiate with Senate Republicans on a variety of issues, especially when budget season hits Harrisburg.
Recent polls show Shapiro, the incumbent, polling over 20 percentage points ahead of Garrity.
PA-1 Congressional Race
A key House race is taking place in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District, where Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick is fighting to keep his seat against Democratic challenger Bob Harvie.
Fitzpatrick has held office since 2017. He has positioned himself as a moderate Republican, allowing him to win reelection several times in a swing district. His priorities include government accountability and transparency, lowering costs for hardworking families, and energy permitting reform.
Fitzpatrick has been a critical target for the Democratic Party in their effort to take control of the House of Representatives. He is a former FBI Supervisory Special Agent and Special Assistant United States Attorney. He was first elected to Congress in 2016.
Harvie has been critical of Fitzpatrick’s support for certain Trump administration policies. His campaign has been focused on affordability and rising healthcare costs. Harvie is a Bucks County native who taught at Bucks County Technical High School, and he currently serves on the Board of Bucks County Commissioners.
Current polls show Fitzpatrick in the lead by several percentage points. The race is expected to be a tossup.
PA-7 Congressional Race
Another battleground race is taking place in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. Republican incumbent Representative Ryan Mackenzie is facing Democratic challenger Bob Brooks. Mackenzie ousted former Democratic Representative Susan Wild in 2024.
Mackenzie served in the Pennsylvania state House before being elected to Congress. He has focused on border security, tax policy, and the economy during his time in office. He supported legislation to shield consumers from utility costs associated with data center development, as well as legislation that would impose term limits on Members of Congress.
Brooks, president of the Professional Firefighters Association, is focused on healthcare costs and banning corporate PAC money in politics. He has been critical of Mackenzie’s support of Trump-endorsed policies.
Both candidates are supportive of a congressional stock trading ban.
PA-8 Congressional District
A key race to watch is unfolding in Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, where incumbent Republican Representative Rob Bresnahan is being challenged by Democratic candidate and Scranton mayor Paige Cognetti. Bresnahan was elected in 2024 after ousting longtime Democratic Representative Matt Cartwright.
Bresnahan is a businessman who served as CEO of Kuharchik Construction. He has focused his time in office on the economy and job growth, as well as addressing affordability for Americans. He is a member of the House Agriculture, Small Business, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees.
Cognetti won Scranton’s mayoral special election in 2019 as an independent and later changed her party affiliation. She has called for the elimination of the sales and use tax exemption afforded to data center developers. She is focusing her campaign on healthcare reform, lowering the cost of living for Americans, and addressing employment issues.
Pennsylvania Senate District 6
At the state level, Pennsylvania’s 6th Senate District sees incumbent Republican Senator Frank Farry facing Democratic challenger Eileen Hartnett Albillar.
Albillar currently serves as Bucks County Clerk of Courts. Her campaign is focused on lowering costs for families, addressing education funding, and supporting small business.
Farry served in the state House before being elected to the state Senate. His time in office has been focused on education funding, tax policy, and consumer protection.
The district covers portions of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Senate District 14
In Pennsylvania’s 14th Senate District, incumbent Democratic Senator Nick Miller is facing Republican challenger Omy Maldonado.
Miller previously served in the Pennsylvania House and has focused his time in office on education funding and addressing environmental concerns.
Maldonado is focused on data center regulation with localities making decisions about their development. He is also aiming to address the Commonwealth’s budget.
The district covers parts of Lehigh and Northampton counties.
Pennsylvania House District 18
Pennsylvania’s 18th House District, covering parts of Bucks County, is being targeted by Democrats in their attempt to expand their narrow state House majority.
Incumbent Republican Representative K.C. Tomlinson is facing Democratic challenger Bryan Allen.
Tomlinson has held the seat since 2020. She is a licensed funeral director and has focused her campaign on lowering taxes for working families. She wants to reduce taxes on tips and overtime.
Allen previously served on the Bensalem Township Council and was chief of staff to state Representative Tina Davis. His campaign has been focused on increasing the minimum wage in the Commonwealth and ensuring that data centers are held responsible for their own operating costs.
