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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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Democrats celebrated election wins Tuesday night, as President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address.
In Pennsylvania, the party held on to its slim majority in the state House of Representatives following a special election, while in Maine it held a state House seat.
Why It Matters
The victories continue a trend of Democrat wins at different levels of government across the U.S. in recent months. Ahead of the midterms in November, both the Republican and Democratic Parties will be watching local races to see which way voters might be leaning, and whether the GOP's control of the U.S. Congress looks certain to continue or is at risk.
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What To Know
Ana Tiburcio and Jennifer Mazzocco became Pennsylvania State Representatives Tuesday night, covering Districts 22 and 42.
Mazzocco won her race in Allegheny County by 64 points, with 81.7 percent of the vote, compared to her predecessor's 33-point lead in 2024. Tiburcio received 67.3 percent of the vote in Lehigh County.
The victories mean Democrats continue to hold a razor-thin 102-98 majority in the state legislature's lower chamber, allowing Governor Josh Shapiro to continue to pass legislation to further his priorities.
In Maine, Scott Harriman beat GOP candidate Janet Beaudoin to keep the 94th state House district within his party. The former Lewiston city councilor had gathered support from national figures, including Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin.
National party committees are eager to seize on these results to frame micro-level outcomes as macro-level momentum. Democrats, in particular, argue that grassroots organization and voter backlash to Trump-era policies continue to fuel their advantage.
Pennsylvania and Maine contain critical swing regions that will matter enormously in November. Strong Democratic performances in the South Hills suburbs of Pittsburgh, in Allentown’s urban/suburban corridor, and in Lewiston’s working-class neighborhoods give the party reason to think its midterm coalition remains motivated.
By contrast, in Washington, D.C., the president was delivering a State of the Union address which touted GOP successes on immigration, the economy, and diplomacy.
What People Are Saying
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams, in a press release: “Another Tuesday, another defiant round of wins for state legislative Democrats. The split screen tonight couldn’t be starker: As President Trump drones on and tries to cover up his agenda that’s left working families behind, Democrats are winning elections. Republicans’ rambling can’t hide their toxic record from voters.
“Every special election is an opportunity to build power and put Republicans on the back foot heading into the midterms, and that’s exactly what we’ve done tonight in Pennsylvania and Maine. Both states are on the DLCC’s target map this November as we prepare to translate our momentum into the biggest wins this ballot level has seen in nearly two decades.”
Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, on X: "Congratulations to Representatives-Elect Ana Tiburcio and Jen Mazzocco on winning tonight and joining our House Democratic majority! I'll see you both at the Capitol as we keep working to get stuff done and protect our freedoms and democracy here in Pennsylvania. Folks are fired up across our Commonwealth –and ready to win up and down the ballot this November."
What Happens Next
Three more special elections are planned for the Pennsylvania House in March and May, with all seats previously held by Republicans.
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