Elections were held inPennsylvania on November 2, 2021, to filljudicial positions on theSupreme Court ,Superior Court , andCommonwealth Court , to allowjudicial retention votes , and to fill numerous county, local andmunicipal offices.
2021 Pennsylvania elections ← 2020 November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02 ) 2022 →
The necessaryprimary 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 senatorJohn Blake announced he would be resigning from the Senate to take a position with CongressmanMatt Cartwright .[ 1] John Fetterman for May 18, in conjunction with the 2021 primary election.[ 2]
Democrats held a special convention during which State RepresentativeMarty Flynn won the party's nomination.[ 3] Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak.[ 4] Libertarian Party nominated Nathan Covington, and theGreen Party nominated Marlene Sebastianelli.[ 5]
48th senatorial district [ edit ] Following the death of State SenatorDave Arnold , a special election was announced by Lieutenant Governor (and Senate President)John Fetterman to coincide with the 2021 primaries on May 18.[ 7]
TheLibertarian Party nominatedYork 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 nominatedLebanon County businessman Christopher Gebhard.[ 11]
Pennsylvania House of Representatives [ edit ] 59th legislative district [ edit ] Following the death of Republican state representativeMike Reese , House SpeakerBryan Cutler announced that a special election for the59th legislative district would take place on May 18 (in conjunction with the 2021 primary).[ 13]
Democrats nominatedLigonier Borough Councilwoman Mariah Fisher.[ 14] Republicans held a special convention and nominated Leslie Rossi, aLatrobe 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 RepresentativeJeff Pyle announced his retirement due to health issues.[ 19] Bryan Cutler called for a special election for the60th legislative district on May 18, in conjunction with the 2021 primary.[ 20]
Republicans nominated Pyle's chief of staff Abby Major.Libertarians nominatedWaynesburg University senior Drew Hreha.[ 21] Democrats nominated Dr. Frank Prazenica Jr., a retiredcolonel in theUnited 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 the113th legislative district on November 2, in conjunction with the 2021 general election.[ 24]
Democrats nominated Flynn'schief of staff Thom Welby.[ 25] Republicans nominated Dominick Manetti, a former deputy sheriff ofLackawanna County .[ 26]
164th legislative district [ edit ] On July 22, State RepresentativeMargo L. Davidson resigned her seat after being charged with stealing from the Commonwealth by filing fraudulent overnightper 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 the164th legislative district on November 2, in conjunction with the 2021 general election.[ 28]
Democrats nominatedUpper Darby School District board member Gina Curry.Republicans nominated Brian Sharif Taylor, aUnited States Army veteran.Libertarians nominated community activist Aniket Josan.[ 29]
Justice of the Supreme Court [ edit ] 2021 Pennsylvania Supreme Court election County resultsBrobson: 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 JusticeThomas G. Saylor on December 31, 2021.[ 30]
Carolyn Nichols, Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania[ 34] Democratic primary results[ 35] Party Candidate Votes % Democratic Maria McLaughlin 945,138 100.0% Total votes 945,138 100.0%
Primary results by county 40%–50%
50%–60%
60%–70%
70%–80%
80%–90%
Judge of the Superior Court [ edit ] 2021 Pennsylvania Superior Court election County resultsSullivan: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%Lane: 50–60% 70-80%
One vacancy was created when President Judge EmeritusSusan P. Gantman took senior status on April 1, 2020.[ 30]
Primary results by county 40%–50%
50%–60%
70%–80%
80%–90%
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%
Judge of the Commonwealth Court [ edit ] 2021 Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court election Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania County resultsRepublican: 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] [ 43] [ 44] Tom Wolf appointed JudgeDrew 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]
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 fromRepublican
Judges John T. Bender andMary 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 Total votes 2,297,057 100.00 Source: PA Department of State[ 36]
JudgeMary Jane Bowes (R) retention, 2021 Choice Votes % Yes 1,447,916 63.31 No 839,106 36.69 Total votes 2,287,022 100.00 Source: PA Department of State[ 36]
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 Total votes 2,283,681 100.00 Source: PA Department of State[ 36]
Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer (R) retention, 2021 Choice Votes % Yes 1,426,901 62.75 No 847,169 37.25 Total votes 2,274,070 100.00 Source: PA Department of State[ 36]
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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, GovernorTom Wolf declared a disaster emergency for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania due to theCOVID-19 pandemic . Several Republicans, led by state representativeRuss Diamond , opposed these public-health measures and introduced two amendments (2021-01 and 2021–02) to thePennsylvania 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 Total votes 2,240,056 100.00 Source: PA Department of State
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2: Disaster Emergency Declaration and Management Choice Votes % Yes 1,174,528 51.97 No 1,085,371 48.03 Total votes 2,259,899 100.00 Source: PA Department of State
A third constitutional amendment (2021-03)2021 Pennsylvania Amendment 3 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 Total votes 2,254,094 100.00 Source: PA Department of State
Statewide referendum [ edit ] Act 91 of 2020 placed before the electorate a question about allowing municipalfire companies ,ambulance services , andrescue 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 Total votes 2,235,920 100.00 Source: PA Department of State
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