ABC News reports that Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is projected to win the GOP primary in the 1st District, beating his right-flank challenge from anti-abortion activist Mark Houck. This victory marks Fitzpatrick’s success in overcoming primary challengers in every election since he was first elected in 2016. He will once again face Democrat Ashley Ehasz in the upcoming fall election, a candidate he previously defeated by 10 points in 2022.
In other election news, state Rep. Brown in West Philadelphia and state Rep. Salisbury in the Pittsburgh area are both successfully fending off challenges from the left, as reported by The New York Times. Split votes against Rep. Brown in the Democratic race and projections of victory for Erie County Democratic Party Chair Jim Wertz over former Fetterman staffer Selena King are other notable developments in Pennsylvania’s state House and Senate races.
With regards to the economy, Pennsylvanians are feeling more optimistic about the direction of the U.S. economy compared to voters in other swing states, per a GBAO/Fabrizio Lee/Wall Street Journal poll. While 30% of residents believe the U.S. economy has improved in the last two years, only 20% feel the same about the Pennsylvania economy. This sentiment may pose challenges for candidates in the state treasurer race as they maneuver through voter perceptions of economic progress.
ABC News projections also indicate that Dave Sunday is set to win the Republican nomination for attorney general, positioning him for a November run for the open seat. Eugene DePasquale is leading on the Democratic side, suggesting an interesting race ahead as candidates prepare for the general election.