In the Pennsylvania Senate, the Republicans hold the majority at 28-22. Unlike the House, where elections are held for all seats every two years, Senate terms are four years, alternating even and odd districts every other cycle. This will be the first time these odd numbered seats will face elections under the redistricted maps.
SD-45 (open): Nick Pisciottano (D) vs. Jen Dintini (R)
Registration %: 56.5-D, 30.5-R, 13-I
2020 Incumbent Win %: 50.03 (Brewster)
2020 Presidential Win %: Biden 53.1
In 2020, Incumbent Senator Jim Brewster won reelection on the back of a 4-3 PA Supreme Court decision allowing 2,300 mail in ballots that were incorrectly submitted to be counted. Brewster won by 69 total votes out of the 132,453 cast. Brewster is retiring, creating an open seat in a district that hasn’t changed much in registration, but gained slightly in Democratic performance. PA House member Nick Pisciottano will square off against business owner and mom of four, Jen Dintini.
SD-49: Jim Wertz (D) vs. Dan Laughlin (R)*
Registration %: 47-D, 39.5-R, 13.5-I
2020 Incumbent Win %: 59.81
2020 Presidential Win %: Biden 50.5
When Jane Earll retired in 2012, Sean Wiley picked up the longtime GOP-held seat but only served one term – he was defeated by political newcomer and business owner Dan Laughlin in 2016. Laughlin built on his initial victory, capturing 60% of the vote in 2020, in a district that voted 50.5% for Biden. Laughlin seeks a third term against Jim Wertz, a teacher and union leader in the news broadcast industry.
SD-37: Nicole Ruscitto (D) vs. Devlin Robinson (R)*
Registration %: 44-D, 41.5-R, 14.5-I
2020 Incumbent Win %: 52.11
2020 Presidential Win %: Trump 50
This Allegheny County seat has launched political careers of some of Pennsylvania’s most recognized names: Mike Fisher, Tim Murphy, John Pippy, Matt Smith, and Guy Reschenthaler. Veteran and business owner Devlin Robinson was first elected in 2020 and now seeks a second term. This seat was slightly changed in redistricting and received a slight 1% bump for Democrats, but Republican performance has been steady in this part of the county. Robinson will face Nicole Ruscitto, a teacher and former Jefferson Hills town council member.
SD-5: Jimmy Dillon (D)* vs. Joe Picozzi (R)
Registration %: 57.5-D, 29-R, 13.5-I
Incumbent Win %: 56.7 (special election – May 2022)
2020 Presidential Win %: Biden 52.9
When State Senator John Sabatina was elected to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, he resigned from his Senate seat and a special election occurred. Candidate Jimmy Dillon was successful against MMA-fighter Sam Oropeza, 56.7% to 43.3%, in a low-voter-turnout special election. In this special election, Jimmy Dillon was thrust into service even though his brother, Shawn, was the one originally seeking the seat. A paperwork error forced Shawn to withdrawal and brother Jimmy was nominated in his place. Now, Jimmy Dillon has been in the spotlight for the wrong reasons as reports of past racially and sexist tweets have surfaced, unpaid traffic violations in New Jersey, and scrutiny over his campaign finance and disclosure reports. Joe Picozzi, a first-time office seeker and former U.S. Congressional staffer, is running for this seat that has been held by Democrats since 2000 when former Lt. Governor Mike Stack represented the district.
SD-15 (open): Patty Kim (D) vs. Nick Difransisco (R)
Registration %: 49.5-D, 34.5-R, 16-I
2020 Incumbent Win %: 51.63 (DiSanto)
2020 Presidential Win %: Biden 56.8
This Harrisburg-based seat went from a Republican +5 registration to a Democratic +14 registration in the process of redistricting. Incumbent Senator John DiSanto is retiring, creating an open seat and an opportunity for Democrats to carve into the Republican majority. Former news anchor and current State Representative Patty Kim gets the nod for the Democrats, while former Dauphin County Commissioner and non-profit executive Nick Difransisco will be on the ticket for the GOP.
*Incumbent