Democrats Fight to Hold the Line: Pennsylvania Special Election Could Decide the Future of Working Families

[RandySF]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — DNC Chair Ken Martin has officially launched the “Organizing Everywhere” tour, a nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening Democratic efforts ahead of pivotal state elections. This week, the campaign spotlighted Pennsylvania House District 35 candidate Dan Goughnour in anticipation of the critical March 25 special election, which will determine control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

The race for District 35 pits three candidates against each other: Dan Goughnour (Democratic Party), Charles Davis (Republican Party), and Adam Kitta (Libertarian Party). Goughnour, a current officeholder with the McKeesport Area School District, is running to fill a seat vacant since the passing of Democrat Matt Gergely. The district, located in Allegheny County, encompasses areas such as McKeesport, Homestead, Clairton, and West Mifflin, among others.

The stakes are high for Democrats, who hold a razor-thin majority in the state legislature. Defending the Pennsylvania House has been identified as a key priority for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), which supports Goughnour in this majority-making contest. “The DLCC is fighting to retain our razor-thin majority in the Pennsylvania House this cycle and every seat counts,” said DLCC President Heather Williams. “Dan Goughnour’s seat will make or break the chamber’s Democratic majority, and the DLCC and DNC will be with him to protect Pennsylvania’s working families every step of the way.”

Martin’s tour reinforces the Democratic Party’s nationwide strategy of investing resources into local and state contests to counter the influence of far-right policies. “This week, DNC Chair Ken Martin made it clear that the Democratic Party is ready to organize and compete everywhere and build local power – starting with these high-stakes state legislative special elections,” Williams emphasized.



https://www.mychesco.com/a/news/pennsylvania/democrats-fight-to-hold-the-line-pennsylvania-special-election-could-decide-the-future-of-working-families/

[Deminpenn]

1. FTR, many of the 203 House seats

are not competitive. HD 35 is one. The Rs know it, too as shown when their candidate for speaker withdrew after the first vote ended 101-101 to allow McClinton to be elected speaker.