The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) has added the Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention contests to its 2025-26 target map.

Commonwealth voters will have the opportunity to retain three Democratic justices this November in an election that the DLCC says will have “serious implications for redistricting processes, abortion, voting rights, and more.”

The DLCC, the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure, had previously identified defending the Pennsylvania state house as one of its targets.

“Democrats’ ability to win state legislative races and build power in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania hinges on the outcomes of these state supreme court races,” said Heather Williams, DLCC President. “The DLCC has a record of success in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania – from supporting state supreme court wins to building Democratic power in legislatures – and we are bringing that winning strategy into 2025. We must preserve fair majorities to ensure state legislative races are run on fair maps and to protect the future of abortion access, voting rights, workers’ rights, and so much more.”

Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht were elected to 10-year terms in 2015. An elected justice approaching the end of a full term may seek additional 10-year terms through standing in an unopposed yes/no retention vote. If a majority of voters say yes, the justice is retained for a new 10-year term. If the majority says nay, the governor can appoint a temporary replacement subject to the approval of the state Senate. An election for a replacement to serve a full 10-year term is then held in the next odd year.

Since 1968, when the state’s constitution was last updated, voters have rejected only one appellate judge’s reelection bid. That was in 2005, when voters were broadly frustrated with state lawmakers’ vote to increase their own salaries and those of judges. Former state Supreme Court Justice Russell Nigro was up for reelection that year, and while he had nothing to do with the pay hike, he lost his bid for retention amid a widespread culling of incumbents.

Democrats hold a 5-2 majority on the state’s highest court.