The PAGOP endorsed candidate wins the Republican Party primary for the PA Supreme Court, while state Rep. Ed Gainey defeats Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto in the Democratic Party primary for Pittsburgh Mayor. Here is the 2021 Primary Results Playbook.

Statewide

Brobson Secures GOP Nomination for Supreme Court: Commonwealth Court Kevin Brobson, who was endorsed by the PA Republican Party, received just over 50% of the vote in the three candidate primary. He will face Superior Court Judge Maria McLaughlin, a Democrat, in November’s general election for the open seat on the PA Supreme Court.

Dem Commonwealth Court Primary Is A Close Race: As of 8 A.M. on Wednesday morning, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Lori Dumas led the way with 29.2% of the vote, while Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Judge David Spurgeon, who was endorsed by the PA Democratic Party, tallied 26.7% of the vote, and Amanda Green-Hawkins, a former Allegheny County Councilwoman, garnered 26.3% of the vote, according to unofficial returns from the Department of State. Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Sierra Thomas Street was in fourth place with nearly 17.8% of the vote. The two winners of the Democratic Party primary will face Republicans Stacy Wallace, a McKean County attorney, and Judge Drew Crompton, who were unopposed in the GOP primary, in November’s election.

Lane Leads Beck in PA Dem Superior Court Primary: As of 8 A.M., the contested race for the Democratic Party nomination for Superior Court has not yet been called by the AP. According to unofficial returns from the Department of State, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Timika Lane held a 6.5% lead (47.3%-to-40.8%) over Jill Beck, an attorney from Pittsburgh, while Bryan Neft, a former president of the Allegheny County Bar Association tallied just under 12% of the vote. The winner of the Democratic PA Superior Court primary race will face Republican Megan Sullivan, who received the PAGOP endorsement and was unopposed for the GOP nomination, in November’s election. 

WHYY: ‘Still Waiting’ On Two Amendment Ballot Questions: WHYY reports that proposed constitutional amendment 1 and 2, “which would make it harder for a Pennsylvania governor to enact and maintain an emergency declaration,” were not called, however, “yes” votes were leading by 7 points each as of Wednesday morning, according to unofficial returns from the Department of State.

AP: ‘Voters back bid to ban race discrimination in constitution’: The Associated Press reports that Pennsylvania voters overwhelmingly supported the constitutional amendment “to outlaw discrimination based on race and ethnicity.” As of Wednesday morning, 71% of voters in the state supported the amendment, according to unofficial returns from the Department of State.

State House & Senate

Flynn Wins SD22 Special Election: The Lackawanna County Democrat held a double digit lead with 95% of votes reported.

SD48: Gebhard Cruises To Special Election Victory: The Lebanon County Republican will fill the seat previously held by the late state Sen. Dave Arnold.

GOP Keeps 2 State House Seats: Republicans Leslie Baum Rossi and Abby Major notched comfortable victories in their special elections in western PA.

Regional Races

Gainey Defeats Peduto in Pittsburgh Dem Mayoral Primary: State Rep. Ed Gainey will likely become Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor.

Krasner Bests Vega in Philly Dem DA Primary: Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner garnered 65% of the vote, while challenger Carlos Vega tallied nearly 35% of the vote, with 96% of votes reported.

Williams Wins Harrisburg Mayoral Dem Primary: PennLive reports that Harrisburg City Council President Wanda Williams narrowly defeated Mayor Eric Papenfuse and three other challengers in the Democratic Party primary for Harrisburg Mayor. If Williams wins in November’s election, she will become Harrisburg’s second Black and second female mayor.

Tuerk Holds Slight Edge in Allentown Mayoral Dem Primary: The Allentown Morning Call reports that Matt Tuerk, a longtime economic development official, holds a 1.5% lead over incumbent Mayor Ray O’Connell in the Democratic Party primary for Allentown Mayor. Allentown City Council President Julio Guridy is in a “very close third,” only trailing the leader by about 2%, while Allentown City Councilmember Ce-Ce Gerlach is in fourth place, but trails the leader by 3%. 

Erie County Executive Dem Primary Remains Tight: JET24 reports that the four candidate Democratic Party primary for Erie County Executive remains tight as of Wednesday morning. According to unofficial returns from Erie County, Erie School Board President Dr. Tyler Titus holds a narrow lead over Erie County Councilman Carl Anderson in the four candidate primary. 

Schember is Apparent Winner in Erie Dem Mayoral Primary: JET24 reports that Erie Mayor Joe Schember is the “apparent winner” in the Democratic Party primary. Schember secured 74% of the vote, while Tom Spagel tallied 18%, and Sydney Zimmerman received 8%. 

Cognetti Wins Full Term for Scranton Mayor: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti defeated City Controller John Murray in the Democratic Party primary for Scranton Mayor. According to unofficial election results reported by the Times-Tribune, Cognetti received 7,847 votes, while Murray received 3,110 votes. 

Reynolds Leads Grubb in Bethlehem Dem Mayoral Primary: The Allentown Morning Call reports that Bethlehem City Councilman J. William Reynolds holds a “big lead” and has “appeared to defeat” former City Administrator Dana Grubb in the Democratic Party primary for Bethlehem Mayor. The winner of the primary race will face Republican challenger and former Lehigh County Administrator John Kachmar in the November general election. 

Nanes Leads State College Dem Mayoral Primary: StateCollege.com reports that Ezra Nanes is leading Jim Leous in the Democratic primary for State College Mayor. As of late Tuesday night, Nanes had 1,568 votes (65.8%) to Leous’s 815 (34.2%). 

Krauss Leads Costa In Allegheny County Sheriff Dem Primary: WESA reports that Allegheny County Sheriff Deputy Kevin Kraus “appeared to have won” the Democratic Party primary for Allegheny County Sheriff over Dom Costa. 

Pittsburgh City Council Incumbents Win Primary Races: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Pittsburgh City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith and Councilman Anthony Coghill “were beating their primary challengers by wide margins” as of Wednesday morning.