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Pennsylvania Primaries 2024: Lee And Fitzpatrick Survives, And Other Updates

As the US presidential elections is approaching, some states have begun their primaries, get all the latest updates regarding the Pennsylvania primaries 2024.

The presidential and U.S. Senate races in Pennsylvania are scheduled for November, and the state’s political parties selected their nominees for a number of other significant races later in the fall on April 23.

Key races to keep an eye on include two incumbent House members, progressive Democrat Summer Lee and moderate Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, who both defeated opponents from their right. Additionally, ballots for a few other significant races that could influence which party controls the House in the coming year are now scheduled. Furthermore, with the parties deciding on their nominees for attorney general, auditor, treasurer, and both chambers of the state legislature, some major battle lines for control of the state government in November have been established.

Live Updates Sourced From ABC News

With 99 percent of the anticipated votes cast, progressive Democratic Rep. Summer Lee is predicted to defeat Edgewood Borough Council member Bhavini Patel by roughly 20 percentage points in the reliable blue 12th District. Lee’s victory suggests that members of The Squad won’t necessarily be negatively impacted by their criticisms of Israel in the upcoming primary this summer.

Meanwhile, ABC News reports that former news anchor Janelle Stelson is predicted to win the Democratic primary in the 10th District with 44% of the expected vote, defeating a field of five rivals. Rep. Scott Perry, a Republican and former head of the extreme right-wing House Freedom Caucus, will oppose her in what could be a competitive race for a marginally GOP seat.

The Battle On The Side Of Brian Fitzpatrick

Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick defeated a challenge from the right in the 1st District, another seat that may be up for grabs, by 26 points at this point with 91 percent of the expected vote. Rep. Fitzpatrick is a member of the House of Representatives. Fitzpatrick is predicted to win that race, according to ABC News. Fitzpatrick will now take on Democrat Ashley Ehasz, whom he defeated by a margin of 10 points in 2022. However, given this district’s volatility, the contest might be closer this time around.

Meanwhile, in Eastern Pennsylvania, three Republicans competed tonight to challenge and possibly defeat Democratic Representative Susan Wild, a three-term member, in the 7th District. However, state representative Brian Mackenzie emerged victorious and is expected to win, per ABC News reporting. With 42% of the vote and 85% of the predicted vote reported, he is currently leading, maybe in part because of the nearly $500,000 that the Koch Brothers’ PAC has spent on him. Now that Mackenzie and Wild are preparing for a close contest that is expected to be among the most competitive House races in the country, a lot of money and attention will be paid.

The Democratic primaries in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh regions, which will set up crucial contests this fall as Democrats strive to hold onto their slim, one-vote majority in the state House and flip the Senate to secure a state government trifecta, concluded the noteworthy races for the state House and Senate. In these races, incumbents largely withstood challenges from more progressive contenders; two notable examples are Rep. Amen Brown in West Philadelphia and Rep. Abigail Salisbury, who defeated Ashley Comans, a candidate supported by Summer Lee.