James Malone Appears to Win PA Senate Seat After District 36 Special Election

East Petersburg Mayor James Andrew Malone appears to have won the Pennsylvania Senate Seat for District 36, marking a shift in the predominantly Republican district. Governor Josh Shapiro noted this reflects a rejection of divisive politics. Voter turnout was low, and GOP candidate Josh Parsons acknowledged disappointment following his loss.
In a notable political shift in Lancaster County, Democrats are celebrating as East Petersburg Mayor James Andrew Malone appears to have secured the open Pennsylvania Senate Seat for District 36. This seat was vacated following the departure of Senator Ryan Aument to join U.S. Senator Dave McCormick’s office.
Governor Josh Shapiro expressed his satisfaction with the race’s outcome, stating that the results reflect a rejection of divisive politics and a move towards unity and competence. He emphasized, “Pennsylvanians rejected a candidate who embraced the extremism and division coming out of DC.”
The election results have raised eyebrows, particularly as District 36 is predominantly Republican, with a voter registration breakdown showing 53 percent registered Republicans compared to about 30 percent registered Democrats. The unexpected results may be attributed to low voter turnout, which was recorded at less than 30 percent.
This election result comes on the heels of previous electoral trends, where in 2024, McCormick captured 56 percent of the votes, successfully unseating Democratic Senator Bob Casey. Additionally, Donald Trump won the district with 57 percent of the votes in the previous election cycle.
In response to his defeat, Josh Parsons released a statement on social media expressing disappointment in the election outcome. He stated, “We are still reviewing them, but it appears we will come up a little short. We appreciate all those who worked hard, supported our campaign, and came out to vote today.”
In summary, James Andrew Malone’s potential victory marks a significant political change in a predominantly Republican district. The election results highlight a possible shift in voter sentiment towards unity and competence. Despite a low turnout, the Democratic party’s win in District 36 may signal evolving dynamics within Pennsylvania politics as upcoming elections approach.
Original Source: local21news.com