2023 Pennsylvania elections


Elections were held in Pennsylvania on, to fill judicial positions, allow judicial retention votes, and fill numerous county, local and municipal offices, the most prominent being the Mayor of Philadelphia. The necessary primary elections were held on May 16, 2023. In addition, special elections for legislative vacancies could be held at various times in 2023.

Justice of the Supreme Court

One vacancy occurred after Democratic Chief Justice Max Baer died on.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Fundraising

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Fundraising

Results

General election

Endorsements

Fundraising

Although McCaffery outraised Carluccio 2-to-1 in direct fundraising, Carluccio received over $4 million in independent expenditures supporting her campaign, primarily through Republican donor Jeff Yass. In comparison, McCaffery only received $330,000 in support from outside groups.

Polling

Results

Judge of the Superior Court

There were two seats up for election.
  • A vacant seat on the court was up for election after the retirement of Judge Jacqueline Shogan in 2021.
  • A second seat was scheduled for election due to the impending mandatory retirement of Judge Emeritus John T. Bender on December 31, 2023.
The election of Jill Beck and Timika Lane, flips the partisan makeup of the Superior Court, from a 8–7 Republican majority, to a 9–6 Democratic majority. However, the makeup was decreased to a 8–6 Democratic majority when Judge Dan McCaffery vacated his seat after being elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

General election

Results

Judge of the Commonwealth Court

There was one vacancy on the Commonwealth Court when Judge Kevin Brobson vacated his seat after being elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2021.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

General election

Results

Judicial retention

Superior Court

President Judge Jack A. Panella and Judge Victor P. Stabile were scheduled for retention votes in 2023. Both informed the Pennsylvania Department of State that they would seek retention.

Municipal elections

Philadelphia

Mayor

City council

City Controller special election

A special election took place after the resignation of City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart in October 2022 to run for mayor.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Did not file
Withdrawn
  • Jack Inacker, United States Air Force veteran and former nuclear weapons systems specialist
  • Gregg Kravitz, realtor
    Endorsements
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
General election
Results

Allegheny County

County Executive

District Attorney

Democratic primary
Declared
Results
General election
Results
Incumbent Stephen Zappala accepted the Republican nomination upon losing the Democratic primary, though he remained a registered Democrat.

Special elections

Pennsylvania State Senate

27th senatorial district

On, state senator John Gordner announced his resignation in order to serve as counsel to interim Senate Pro Tempore Kim Ward. Gordner's resignation was effective on November 30. A special election to replace Gordner was held on.
Democrats nominated speech pathologist Patricia Lawton while Republicans nominated State Representative Lynda Schlegel-Culver. Libertarians had nominated business consultant and constable Thomas Anderson, but he failed to file the necessary paperwork in time and his lawsuit for ballot access was denied by the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Three vacancies in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives opened between Election Day 2022 and the start of the 2023 session in January. The vacancies have made the difference between Democratic and Republican control, and paralyzed the chamber due to representatives' inability to agree on basic operating rules.

32nd district

On October 9, 2022, incumbent representative Anthony DeLuca died of lymphoma while seeking reelection. The time of his death occurred after the deadline to conduct candidate substitutions, causing his name to remain on the ballot. Despite his death, he defeated Green challenger Queonia Livingston, receiving 85% of the vote. A special election to replace DeLuca was held on.
Democrats nominated Penn Hills Democratic Committee chair Joe McAndrew. Republicans nominated pastor and Army veteran Clay Walker. 2022 Green Party candidate Queonia Livingston had filed nomination papers but they were rejected by the Pennsylvania Department of State.

34th district

On On November 8, 2022, incumbent representative Summer Lee was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, while simultaneously running unopposed for reelection to the 34th legislative district. Pennsylvania's constitution forbids General Assembly lawmakers from holding another office, but does not prevent them from running for reelection while seeking another office. A special election to replace Lee was held on.
Democrats nominated Swissvale borough councilor Abigail Salisbury while Republicans nominated Robert Pagane, a kickboxing instructor.

35th district

On January 4, 2022, incumbent representative Austin Davis announced he would be seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, with Josh Shapiro's endorsement. He was nominated to be on the ticket on May 18 and was elected to the position in the general election. Davis was subsequently reelected to represent the 35th district, defeating Republican challenger Donald Nevills with 65% of the vote. Pennsylvania's constitution forbids General Assembly lawmakers from holding another office, but does not prevent them from running for reelection while seeking another office. A special election to replace Davis was held on.
Democrats nominated McKeesport official Matt Gergely, brother of previous seatholder Marc Gergely. Republicans nominated their 2022 general election nominee Don Nevills.

108th district

On, incumbent representative Lynda Schlegel-Culver was elected to Pennsylvania's 27th Senatorial district in a special election amid the resignation of Senator John Gordner. House Speaker Joanna McClinton announced a special election for May 16 in conjunction with the 2023 primary.
Republicans nominated Shikellamy School Board Member Mike Stender, while Democrats nominated Montour County Commissioner Trevor Finn. Libertarians nominated Marine Corps veteran Elijah Scretching.

163rd district

On, incumbent representative Michael Zabel resigned from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, effective March 16, following a sexual harassment controversy. House Speaker Joanna McClinton announced a special election for May 16 in conjunction with the 2023 primary.
Democrats nominated Heather Boyd, a senior staffer to Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon and former Upper Darby School Board member. Republicans nominated Kathleen "Katie" Ford, an Army veteran and special education therapist. Libertarians nominated Alfe Goodwin, a retired Philadelphia Police officer and nominee for this district in 2022.

21st district

On, incumbent representative Sara Innamorato resigned from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives after becoming the Democratic nominee for Allegheny County Executive. House Speaker Joanna McClinton announced a special election for September 19.
Democrats nominated Lindsay Powell, a nonprofit executive, while Republicans nominated Erin Connolly Autenreith, a realtor and local Republican Party chair.

Official campaign websites for Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

  • Official campaign websites for Superior Court of Pennsylvania

*
*
*
Category:November 2023 in the United States
Category:Pennsylvania special elections
2019 Pennsylvania elections
Category:Pennsylvania judicial elections
Category:2023 [elections in the United States by state|Pennsylvania]