Pennsylvania and forces shaping midterms
The gist
The New York Times reports Pennsylvania best captures the forces shaping the midterms.
Those four districts together would give Democrats the congressional majority.
How it unfolded
- 2024Trump and Republicans dominated Pennsylvania: Trump swept its electoral votes, his party ousted an entrenched Democratic senator, and it was the only state where Republicans flipped two House seats.
- Oct 13, 2026A voter guide for Allegheny County's 2026 elections was published, noting contested races in both congressional seats and 15 of 23 state legislative seats, with Gov. Josh Shapiro running for a second term against Republican state Treasurer Stacy Garrity.
- Oct 17, 2026The New York Times published a report arguing Pennsylvania best captures the forces shaping the midterms, with Democrats targeting four bellwether House districts that together would give them the congressional majority.