2021 Pennsylvania elections

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Elections were held in Pennsylvania 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.

2021 Pennsylvania elections
← 2020
November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)
2022 →

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

22nd senatorial district

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] A special election was announced by Lieutenant Governor (and Senate President) 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] Republicans nominated Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak.[4] The Libertarian Party nominated Nathan Covington, and the Green Party nominated Marlene Sebastianelli.[5] Flynn defeated the field the special election.

Pennsylvania Senate, District 22 special election, 2021[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marty Flynn 30,548 51.7
Republican Chris Chermak 22,465 38.0
Green Marlene Sebastianelli 5,373 9.1
Libertarian Nathan Covington 698 1.2
Total votes 59,084 100.0
Democratic hold

48th senatorial district

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] Former state representative 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 Senate, District 48 special election, 2021[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Chris Gebhard 30,367 62.0
Democratic Calvin Clements 14,806 30.2
Independent Edward H. Krebs 2,326 4.7
Libertarian Timothy McMaster 1,499 3.1
Total votes 48,998 100.0
Republican hold

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

59th legislative district

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] The Libertarian Party nominated Robb Luther.[16]

Rossi defeated Fisher and Luther in the special election to become the district's first female representative.[17]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 59 special election, 2021[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Leslie Rossi 10,538 65.0
Democratic Mariah Fisher 5,272 32.5
Libertarian Robb Luther 402 2.5
Total votes 16,015 100.0
Republican hold

60th legislative district

On March 16, State Representative Jeff Pyle announced his retirement due to health issues.[19] House Speaker 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]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 60 special election, 2021[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Abby Major 10,116 72.6
Democratic Frank C. Prazenica Jr. 3,249 23.3
Libertarian Andrew Hreha 568 4.1
Total votes 13,933 100.0
Republican hold

113th legislative district

As a result of his State Senate special election victory, Marty Flynn resigned from his State House seat on June 9.[19] House Speaker 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]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 113 special election, 2021
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thom Welby 9,191 68.8
Republican Dominick Manetti 3,698 27.7
Libertarian Bonnie Flaherty 466 3.5
Total votes 13,355 100.0
Democratic hold

164th legislative district

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] House Speaker 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]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 164 special election, 2021
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gina Curry 6,469 78.79
Republican Brian Sharif Taylor 1,528 18.61
Libertarian Aniket Josan 213 2.59
Total votes 8,210 100.00
Democratic hold

Justice of the Supreme Court

2021 Pennsylvania Supreme Court election
← 2017
November 2, 2021
2023 →
 
Nominee Kevin Brobson Maria McLaughlin
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,397,100 1,372,182
Percentage 50.45% 49.55%
County results
Brobson:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
McLaughlin:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%
Justice before election

Thomas Saylor
Republican

 Elected Justice

Kevin Brobson
Republican

A seat was up for election due to the impending mandatory retirement of Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor on December 31, 2021.[30]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Withdrawn
  • Carolyn Nichols, Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania[34]

Results

Democratic primary results[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Maria McLaughlin 945,138 100.0%
Total votes 945,138 100.0%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Primary results by county
  Brobson
  •   40%–50%
  •   50%–60%
  •   60%–70%
  •   70%–80%
  •   80%–90%
  McCullough
  •   40%–50%
  •   50%–60%
  •   60%–70%
  Patrick
  •   50%–60%
Republican primary results[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kevin Brobson 505,084 52.21%
Republican Patricia McCullough 317,975 32.87%
Republican Paula Patrick 144,291 14.92%
Total votes 967,350 100.0%

General election

Results

2021 Pennsylvania Supreme Court election[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kevin Brobson 1,397,100 50.45%
Democratic Maria McLaughlin 1,372,182 49.55%
Total votes 2,769,282 100.0%
Republican hold

Judge of the Superior Court

2021 Pennsylvania Superior Court election
← 2019
November 2, 2021
2023 →
 
Nominee Megan Sullivan Timika Lane
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,478,252 1,278,771
Percentage 53.6% 46.4%
County results
Sullivan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Lane:      50–60%      70-80%
Judge before election

Susan P. Gantman
Republican

 Elected Judge

Megan Sullivan
Republican

One vacancy was created when President Judge Emeritus Susan P. Gantman took senior status on April 1, 2020.[30]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Primary results by county
  Lane
  •   40%–50%
  •   50%–60%
  •   70%–80%
  •   80%–90%
  Beck
  •   40%–50%
  •   50%–60%
  •   60%–70%
  •   70%–80%
Democratic primary results[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Timika Lane 482,433 48.83%
Democratic Jill Beck 392,205 39.70%
Democratic Bryan Neft 113,393 11.48%
Total votes 988,031 100.0%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Megan Sullivan 881,046 100.0%
Total votes 881,046 100.0%

General election

Results

2021 Pennsylvania Superior Court election[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Megan Sullivan 1,478,252 53.62%
Democratic Timika Lane 1,278,771 46.38%
Total votes 2,757,023 100.0%
Republican hold

Judge of the Commonwealth Court

2021 Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court election
← 2017
November 2, 2021
2023 →
2 seats of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
  Majority party Minority party
 
Candidate Stacy Wallace
Drew Crompton		 Lori Dumas
David Spurgeon
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 7 2
Seats won 1 1
Seat change Decrease 1 Increase 1
Popular vote 2,630,344 2,473,227
Percentage 51.54% 48.46%
County results
Republican:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Democrat:      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%

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] Had Judge Leavitt won retention, she would have only been eligible to serve for one year before her mandatory retirement by December 31, 2022.
  • A second seat was up for election due to the retirement of Judge Robin Simpson, a Republican, on December 31, 2019.[43][44] Governor Tom Wolf appointed Drew Crompton[45] to fill the vacancy, who opted to run for reelection.[46]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results (vote for 2)[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lori Dumas 517,311 29.70%
Democratic David Spurgeon 460,769 26.46%
Democratic Amanda Green-Hawkins 445,400 25.58%
Democratic Sierra Street 318,017 18.26%
Total votes 1,741,497 100.0%

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary results (vote for 2)[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Stacy Marie Wallace 704,706 50.32%
Republican Drew Crompton (incumbent) 695,748 49.68%
Total votes 1,400,454 100.0%

General election

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]

Results

2021 Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court election (vote for 2)[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Stacy Marie Wallace 1,355,445 26.56%
Democratic Lori Dumas 1,297,253 25.42%
Republican Drew Crompton (incumbent) 1,274,899 24.98%
Democratic David Spurgeon 1,175,974 23.04%
Total votes 5,103,571 100.0%
Republican hold
Democratic gain from Republican

Judicial retention

Superior Court

Judges John T. Bender and Mary Jane Bowes were up for retention in 2021.[42]

Judge John T. Bender (R) retention, 2021
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,428,650 62.19
No 868,407 37.81
Total votes 2,297,057 100.00
Source: PA Department of State[36]
Judge Mary Jane Bowes (R) retention, 2021
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,447,916 63.31
No 839,106 36.69
Total votes 2,287,022 100.00
Source: PA Department of State[36]

Commonwealth Court

Judges Anne Covey and Renee Cohn Jubelirer were up for retention in 2021.[42]

Judge Anne Covey (R) retention, 2021
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,410,818 61.78
No 872,863 38.22
Total votes 2,283,681 100.00
Source: PA Department of State[36]
Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer (R) retention, 2021
Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 1,426,901 62.75
No 847,169 37.25
Total votes 2,274,070 100.00
Source: PA Department of State[36]

Mayoral elections

Ballot questions

References

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