The 2021 Pennsylvania elections were held on November 2, 2021, to fill judicial positions on the Supreme Court , Superior Court , and Commonwealth Court , to allow judicial retention votes , and to fill numerous county, local and municipal offices.
The necessary primary elections were held on May 18. In addition, special elections for legislative vacancies were held at various times in 2021.
Pennsylvania State Senate [ edit ] 22nd senatorial district [ edit ] On February 14, Democratic state senator John Blake announced he would be resigning from the Senate to take a position with Congressman Matt Cartwright .[ 1] John Fetterman for May 18, in conjunction with the 2021 primary election.[ 2]
Democrats held a special convention during which State Representative Marty Flynn won the party's nomination.[ 3] Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak.[ 4] Libertarian Party nominated Nathan Covington, and the Green Party nominated Marlene Sebastianelli.[ 5]
48th senatorial district [ edit ] Following the death of State Senator Dave Arnold , a special election was announced by Lieutenant Governor (and Senate President) John Fetterman to coincide with the 2021 primaries on May 18.[ 7]
The Libertarian Party nominated York County business owner and farmer Timothy McMaster.[ 8] Edward H. Krebs announced he would launch an independent bid for this seat.[ 9] Democrats nominated Dr. Calvin Clements, a retired veterinarian.[ 10] Republicans nominated Lebanon County businessman Christopher Gebhard.[ 11]
Pennsylvania House of Representatives [ edit ] 59th legislative district [ edit ] Following the death of Republican state representative Mike Reese , House Speaker Bryan Cutler announced that a special election for the 59th legislative district would take place on May 18 (in conjunction with the 2021 primary).[ 13]
Democrats nominated Ligonier Borough Councilwoman Mariah Fisher.[ 14] Republicans held a special convention and nominated Leslie Rossi, a Latrobe native and creator of the "Trump House ".[ 15] Libertarian Party nominated Robb Luther.[ 16]
Rossi defeated Fisher and Luther in the special election to become the district's first female representative.[ 17]
60th legislative district [ edit ] On March 16, State Representative Jeff Pyle announced his retirement due to health issues.[ 19] Bryan Cutler called for a special election for the 60th legislative district on May 18, in conjunction with the 2021 primary.[ 20]
Republicans nominated Pyle's chief of staff Abby Major. Libertarians nominated Waynesburg University senior Drew Hreha.[ 21] Democrats nominated Dr. Frank Prazenica Jr., a retired colonel in the United States Army Reserve .[ 22]
113th legislative district [ edit ] As a result of his State Senate special election victory, Marty Flynn resigned from his State House seat on June 9.[ 19] Bryan Cutler called for a special election for the 113th legislative district on November 2, in conjunction with the 2021 general election.[ 24]
Democrats nominated Flynn's chief of staff Thom Welby.[ 25] Republicans nominated Dominick Manetti, a former deputy sheriff of Lackawanna County .[ 26]
164th legislative district [ edit ] On July 22, State Representative Margo L. Davidson resigned her seat after being charged with stealing from the Commonwealth by filing fraudulent overnight per diem requests and various other expenses through the State House Comptroller's Office as well as hindering a state prosecution.[ 27] Bryan Cutler called for a special election for the 164th legislative district on November 2, in conjunction with the 2021 general election.[ 28]
Democrats nominated Upper Darby School District board member Gina Curry. Republicans nominated Brian Sharif Taylor, a United States Army veteran. Libertarians nominated community activist Aniket Josan.[ 29]
Justice of the Supreme Court [ edit ] 2021 Pennsylvania Supreme Court election
Brobson: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%McLaughlin: 50–60% 60–70% 80–90%
A seat was up for election due to the impending mandatory retirement of Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor on December 31, 2021.[ 30]
Carolyn Nichols, Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania[ 34] Judge of the Superior Court [ edit ] 2021 Pennsylvania Superior Court election
Sullivan: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%Lane: 50–60% 70-80%
One vacancy was created when President Judge Emeritus Susan P. Gantman took senior status on April 1, 2020.[ 30]
Judge of the Commonwealth Court [ edit ] 2021 Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court election
Majority party
Minority party
Candidate
Stacy Wallace Drew Crompton
Lori Dumas
Party
Republican
Democratic
Last election
7
2
Seats won
1
1
Seat change
Popular vote
2,630,344
2,473,227
Percentage
51.54%
48.46%
There were two seats up for election on the Commonwealth Court. Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt, a Republican, declined to run for retention for an additional 10-year term.[ 42] [ 43] [ 44] Tom Wolf appointed Judge Drew Crompton [ 45] [ 46]
A recount was triggered because Dumas and Crompton finished within half a percentage point of each other in the initial tally. On November 23, counties completed the recount, and Crompton conceded to Dumas. The following day, statewide recount results were published, which affirmed Dumas's lead.[ 53]
Judges John T. Bender and Mary Jane Bowes were up for retention in 2021.[ 42]
Judge John T. Bender (R) retention, 2021
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
1,428,650
62.19
No
868,407
37.81
Judge Mary Jane Bowes (R) retention, 2021
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
1,447,916
63.31
No
839,106
36.69
Judges Anne Covey and Renee Cohn Jubelirer were up for retention in 2021.[ 42]
Judge Anne Covey (R) retention, 2021
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
1,410,818
61.78
No
872,863
38.22
Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer (R) retention, 2021
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
1,426,901
62.75
No
847,169
37.25
Pennsylvania voters considered three constitutional amendments and one statewide referendum in the May 18 primary.
Constitutional amendments [ edit ] Restricting emergency disaster declarations and powers [ edit ] In 2020, Governor Tom Wolf declared a disaster emergency for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Several Republicans, led by state representative Russ Diamond , opposed these public-health measures and introduced two amendments (2021-01 and 2021–02) to the Pennsylvania Constitution to restrict the emergency powers of the governor.[ 54]
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 1: Termination or Extension of Disaster Emergency Declaration
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
1,165,851
52.05
No
1,074,205
47.95
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2: Disaster Emergency Declaration and Management
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
1,174,528
51.97
No
1,085,371
48.03
A third constitutional amendment (2021-03) was proposed to create a prohibition against denying an individual's rights because of race or ethnicity.[ 55]
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3: Prohibition Against Denial or Abridgement of Equality of Rights Because of Race or Ethnicity
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
1,629,889
72.31
No
624,205
27.69
Statewide referendum [ edit ] Act 91 of 2020 placed before the electorate a question about allowing municipal fire companies , ambulance services , and rescue squads to use loans which are usually only allowed for volunteer companies.[ 56]
Statewide Referendum - Act 2020-91
Choice
Votes
%
Yes
1,629,773
72.89
No
606,147
27.11
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Retrieved June 8, 2021 .^ Murphy, Jan (January 25, 2021). "Special election date set to fill seat left vacant by Sen. Dave Arnold's death" . pennlive . Retrieved January 25, 2021 . ^ Murphy, Jan (March 4, 2021). "Open 48th Senatorial District seat draws interest from 13 candidates" . PennLive . Retrieved March 26, 2021 . ^ Cole, John (March 10, 2021). "SD48: Krebs Launches Bid for Special Election As An Independent" . PoliticsPA Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021 . ^ Murphy, Jan (March 14, 2021). "Democrats recommend veterinarian to vie for open Senate seat" . PennLive Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021 . ^ Murphy, Jan (March 6, 2021). "GOP chooses Lebanon County businessman to run for open Senate seat" . PennLive Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2021 . ^ "2021 Special Election 48th Senatorial District" . Pennsylvania Elections . 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Retrieved June 9, 2021 . ^ Krawczeniuk, Borys (June 26, 2021). "Only one Democrat applies for Flynn's House seat" . Yahoo News Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021 . ^ Lockwood, Jim (July 25, 2021). "Republicans recommend Manetti to run for 113th state House District seat" . Yahoo News Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021 . ^ Couloumbis, Angela; Vella, Vinny (July 22, 2021). "Pa. state lawmaker from Delaware County charged with theft after years-long investigation" . Spotlight PA . Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021 . ^ Miller, Cassie (August 2, 2021). "Special election for former Rep. Margo Davidson's seat to be held Nov. 2" . Pennsylvania Capital-Star Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021 . ^ "Unofficial List of Candidates: 2021 Special Election 164th legislative district" (PDF) . Pennsylvania Department of State . 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