The 2025 Pennsylvania primary election results are in. From Pittsburgh’s tightly contested mayoral race to Harrisburg’s crowded Democratic primary and key judicial contests across the state, voters made their voices heard. Meanwhile, several state legislators chasing new roles could shake up the delicate balance of the Pennsylvania House. Here is a breakdown of the key results and what they mean for the Commonwealth’s political landscape.

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Pittsburgh Mayoral Democratic Primary: O’Connor Defeats Gainey

In Pittsburgh’s highly contested mayoral Democratic primary, Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor defeated incumbent Mayor Ed Gainey. With over 99% of votes reported, O’Connor secured 53% of the vote compared to Gainey’s 47%. Meanwhile, Tony Moreno secured 61% of the Republican primary vote to advance to the 2025 general election. Pittsburgh has not had a Republican mayor since 1934. Democratic voters outnumber Republicans in the Steel City, signifying a likely path for O’Connor to become Pittsburgh’s next mayor.

O’Connor is a former city councilman and son of former Mayor Bob O’Connor. He campaigned to control city spending during tough financial times, bring stability to a police department with five chiefs under Mayor Gainey, and secure greater contributions from major nonprofits to support vital services like ambulance funding.

Gainey, a former state representative, ousted Bill Peduto in the 2021 mayoral primary.

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Harrisburg Democratic Mayoral Primary: Williams Prevails

In Pennsylvania’s capital, incumbent Mayor Wanda Williams won the Democratic primary, overcoming four challengers. However, it was a close race, with less than 100 votes separating Williams from runner-up Dan Miller, current Harrisburg Treasurer. There were no Republicans on the ballot in the Republican primary. However, Miller reportedly campaigned to Republicans, asking them to write him in on the Republican ballot. There were 251 write-ins on the Republican side, but it was unclear what the write-in results were.

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Statewide Judicial Races: Appellate Court Nominees Emerge

The 2025 general election matchups for Pennsylvania’s appellate courts were determined. In the race for a seat on the Commonwealth Court, which handles government-related civil cases, Stella Tsai, a Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas judge, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Erie environmental law attorney Matt Wolford won the Republican primary with 62.0% of the vote. Tsai and Wolford will face off against each other in the 2025 general election.

Meanwhile, in the race for an open Superior Court seat, which addresses criminal, family, and civil appeals, Brandon Neuman, a Washington County judge and former state representative, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, attorney Maria Battista bested PA GOP-endorsed candidate Ann Marie Wheatcraft 54–46%.

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Legislators Seeking New Roles: Vacancies Could Shake Up PA House Balance

Four current state representatives are running for other offices this year, including Lou Schmitt (R-Blair), Dan Miller (D-Allegheny), Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland), and Joshua Siegel (D-Lehigh). All four had successful primary nights, setting the stage for potential House vacancies if they win their 2025 general election races. These races could disrupt or expand the 102–101 House Democratic majority in 2026.

Schmitt, who has been in office since 2019, won both the Republican and Democratic nominations for a seat on the Blair County Court of Common Pleas.

In Allegheny County, 22 candidates, including current Rep. Dan Miller, sought eight positions on the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas. Miller, who has been in office since 2013, will advance to the 2025 general election after receiving the second-highest votes in the Democratic primary. Miller cross-filed and will advance on the Republican ticket in the general election.

Rep. Torren Ecker won the Republican primary for an open seat on the Adams County Court of Common Pleas and will face off against Paul Royer, a registered Republican who won the Democratic primary in the 2025 general election. Ecker notably did not cross-file and only appeared on the Republican ballot in the primary.

Lastly, Rep. Josh Siegel ran unopposed in the Democratic primary for Lehigh County Executive. He will face Republican Roger MacLean, who defeated Mike Welsh in the Republican primary. MacLean is a former Allentown Police Chief, and Welsh formerly served on the Allentown School Board.

If and when any of these legislators win in the 2025 general elections, their House seats will require special elections in early 2026.

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