Important Pennsylvania elections are coming up in 2025
Key state and local elections are just months away.
The 2024 presidential, congressional, and Pennsylvania legislative races will end with Election Day on Nov. 5. Other elections with major consequences for the future of the state are coming just a few months after.
On May 20, Pennsylvania will hold primaries for statewide and local elections. Those who advance will then face off in a Nov. 4 general election.
Here are some of the key 2025 races.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court
The election of Justice Daniel McCaffery in 2023 gave Democrats a 5-2 majority on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The majority has restored the protections of Pennsylvania’s Equal Rights Amendment and upheld gun safety laws. Major cases currently working their way through the commonwealth’s courts will determine the future of abortion rights, democracy, and climate protection efforts.
That majority could flip back to Republicans, with three seats on the ballot. With the terms of Democratic Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht expiring, voters will have the opportunity to retain them for another 10 years. If any of them opt not to run again or if a majority of voters oppose their retention, those seats would become open and be up for election in 2027.
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has the power to appoint temporary replacements, but those selections must be approved by at least two-thirds of the Pennsylvania state Senate, which is currently GOP-controlled.
Appeals and circuit courts
Pennsylvania has two intermediate courts handling case appeals: The 9-member Commonwealth Court mostly considers appeals of cases relating to state and local governments; the 15-judge Superior Court principally hears appeals of criminal and civil cases.
Commonwealth Court Judge Michael Wojcik and Superior Court Judge Alice Dubow, both Democrats, are up for retention votes in November 2025.
Voters will also consider the retention of other judges across the commonwealth and vote to fill any vacancies.
Local governments
Several localities will choose leaders.
Democratic Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey is seeking a second four-year term in 2025. Other candidates are reportedly mulling entering the race.
In Harrisburg, Democratic Mayor Wanda Williams has not yet announced whether she will seek reelection.
While Philadelphia’s mayor and city council members will not be on the ballot until 2027, the city will vote for its controller and district attorney.
