We begin our series of previews on the state Senate races in the Keystone State. Today, we look at the Northern portion of Pennsylvania.

Contested Races

SD20: Lisa Baker* (R) vs. Jackie Baker (D)

Lisa Baker, chair of the Judiciary Committee, is searching for her fifth term in the state Senate. She said increasing government transparency and protecting hard-earned taxpayer dollars have been at the forefront of her priorities while in office. Baker is a fiscal conservative, and a defender of Second Amendment rights.

Jackie Baker, a Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee member, wants to provide access to affordable healthcare for all, fully fund public education, reform the PA tax system, raise the minimum wage and end gerrymandering.

Dave’s Redistricting Partisan Lean: R+19.2

Voter Registration Difference: R+13.5 (49.2 – 35.7)

SD22: Marty Flynn* (D) vs. Tom Bassett (R)

Flynn is looking for his second term in the state Senate after serving eight years as a state representative. He supports a woman’s right to choose whether to have an abortion, says the state still has a long way to go to ensure its funding for public schools is equitable, supports “common sense” gun regulation, and wants to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania to $15 an hour.

Bassett, a band and music teacher in the Dallas School District, secured the Republican nomination in the primary through a write-in campaign. He describes himself as pro-life, and personally opposes abortion except to save the life of the mother, but says he would vote for legislation that also includes exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Bassett also opposed to cutting any state money for public education, calling it vitally important, favors term limits for legislators, and is satisfied with existing background checks and opposes “red flag” laws.

Dave’s Redistricting Partisan Lean: D+16.6

Voter Registration Difference: D+25.7 (56.7 – 31.0)

SD40: Jennifer Shukaitis (D) vs. Rosemary Brown (R)

Shukaitis, a Stroud Township supervisor, will support reproductive healthcare rights for every individual, wants to move away from standardized testing in schools, and believes that Healthcare is a basic and fundamental human right.

Brown, who served as state representative in the 189th District since 2011, wants to pass a Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights, work to give parents a stronger voice and increase parental involvement in schools, and for commonsense initiatives to protect our election system, including voter ID.

Dave’s Redistricting Partisan Lean: D+3.6

Voter Registration Difference: D+7.4 (45.0 – 37.6)

SD50: Michele Brooks* (R) vs. Rianna Czech (D)

Brooks, chair of the Health and Human Services committee, says she is an outspoken, results-driven advocate for job growth, regulatory reform, and a commonsense approach to budgeting.

Czech, an automotive technician, wants to reform the educational system, believes that healthcare is a basic, human right, and revitalize Pennsylvania’s economy.

Dave’s Redistricting Partisan Lean: R+23.2

Voter Registration Difference: R+16.2 (52.0 – 35.8)

updated SD22 race information.