The Democratic Party came out the big winner of the Pennsylvania electoral races. Progressive politicians won the two main positions at stake, a judge on the state Supreme Court, led by Daniel McCaffery, and the Philadelphia Mayor's Office, where Cherelle Parker became the first woman to hold the baton. The only Republican victory came with Stephen Zappala, district attorney of Allegheny County, who managed to renew his tenure.
The election of the judge who would occupy the vacant seat on the state Supreme Court to replace the late Max Baer (Democrat) was marked from the first hour by computer failures in Northampton County. The victory of the Democratic candidate leaves a progressive majority of 5 to 2 in the high court. The winner, McCaffery, (52.9-47.1) was a member of the state Superior Court at the time.
With your vote for @JudgeMcCaffery, you protected our fundamental freedoms, from Pennsylvania women’s freedom to choose to the freedom to make your voice heard in our democracy.
Congratulations, Justice-elect McCaffery. https://t.co/zPgo5kScC7
— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) November 8, 2023
Parker, a "moderate" Democrat who promises more police against crime
The other major position at stake was the Philadelphia City Hall, where Parker will become the first woman to lead the city. The new mayor, who won almost 75% of the votes, arrives with the promise of taking energetic charge of the crime crisis suffered by the city. She is considered a "moderate" within the blue party and is far from the postulates of many of her colleagues to defund the Police. What's more, during her campaign, Parker promised to hire hundreds more law enforcement officers and to reinstate what she called "constitutional tactics" of stop and frisk.
Thank you, Philly!! Stay tuned for more announcements and updates coming soon right here! Our journey doesn't end here—it's just the beginning of the work we'll do together. Keep an eye on social media for exciting news to come! pic.twitter.com/wfEKYFPzXY
— Cherelle Parker (@PeopleforParker) November 8, 2023
Democratic candidates also swept elected councilors. The only position that did not end up in the hands of a candidate from the blue party was won by Kendra Brooks, of the Working Families Party.
The only victory of the GOP, at the hands of a lifelong Democrat
The only Republican victory came from the Allegheny County district attorney, where Zappala managed to renew his mandate. Zappala ran under the acronym of the GOP after being defeated in the Democratic primaries, the party with which he has spent the 25 years of his career as district attorney.
Pittsburgh's District Attorney since 1998, before I was born, lost the Democratic primary this year amid an AVALANCHE of Soros cash backing the communist jailbreak candidate.
So lifelong Democrat Stephen Zappala ran as the GOP candidate and won tonight.
Crime matters. pic.twitter.com/1PM9bijt4I
— Max Meyer (@mualphaxi) November 8, 2023