Voters wait in line to cast their ballots on election day in Fairless Hills, Pa., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.
Matt Rourke / Associated Press
2018 election results: Pa. goes blue statewide. But purple in Congressional races.
Two years ago, Republicans won 13 out of 18 House seats in Pennsylvania. Dems hoped to make big gains.
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Ed Mahon -
Marie Cusick/StateImpact Pennsylvania
Matt Rourke / Associated Press
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots on election day in Fairless Hills, Pa., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.
Inside a northern York County restaurant called Boomerang, Bill Gramlich watched the election returns and felt stressed.
At one point, the crowd cheered — and he thought that meant the race had been called in favor of his candidate.
“Well, that was close,” Gramlich said.
“They didn’t call that,” his friend said.
“Well, why are you clapping? You’re misleading me,” Gramlich said. ““I’m going to have a heart attack.”
Gramlich, a 54-year-old construction contractor, described himself as a conservative. He supported U.S. Rep Scott Perry in the 10th Congressional district, which remained close as the night went on Tuesday evening.
“I thought that central Pennsylvania would maybe be a little more conservative than I’m seeing,” Gramlich said. “But I guess everybody has their own issues.”
Two years ago, Pennsylvania Republicans enjoyed election night.
The GOP nominees for president and U.S. Senate both won the state. And Republicans won 13 out of 18 Congressional seats.
But this year, the Republican candidates for governor and U.S. senate trailed in the polls by double-digits against the Democratic incumbents.
And a new map of Congressional districts from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court made several House races much friendlier to the Democrats. Ahead of Tuesday’s voting, forecasters gave Democrats and Republicans good odds of an even 9-9 split in Congress.
As election returns came in Tuesday evening, Democratic incumbents U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Gov. Tom Wolf were declared the winners relatively early. Several important congressional races remained too close to call into Tuesday evening.
But shortly after 11 p.m., cheers erupted at Boomerang, as Perry announced that his Democratic opponent had conceded.
Perry celebrates with his family. pic.twitter.com/2v9FYlh3jE
— Ed Mahon (@edmahonreporter) November 7, 2018
By early Wednesday morning, The Associated Press called nine races for Republicans and nine for Democrats. In the interactive map below, you can see which Congressional candidates won — and by how much.
U.S. Senate
Republican Congressman Lou Barletta challenged Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., who was first elected in 2006.
WASHINGTON (@AP) — Democrat Bob Casey of Pennsylvania wins third Senate term, beating Republican Rep. Lou Barletta.
— Marc Levy (@timelywriter) November 7, 2018
Green Party candidate Neal Gale and Libertarian Dale R. Kerns Jr. were also on the ballot.
The Associated Press called the race in favor of Casey.
Governor
Republican Scott Wagner, a former state senator, challenged Democratic incumbent Tom Wolf. Both are wealthy businessman from York County.
Wagner’s running mate late for lieutenant governor was Jeff Bartos. John Fetterman was Wolf’s running mate.
Also on the ballot: Green Party candidate Paul Glover, Libertarian Ken V. Krawchuk and their respective running mates.
Just a note, PA polls closed seven minutes ago, so nothing is called yet. But CNN, MSNBC and other outlets are projecting Wolf will win (which isn’t a surprise). https://t.co/HfPRRkCJvN
— Katie Meyer (@katieemeyer4) November 7, 2018
WASHINGTON (@AP) — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania re-elected, defeating Republican Scott Wagner.
— Marc Levy (@timelywriter) November 7, 2018
The Associated Press called the races in favor of Wolf.
U.S. House
This election, Republicans were mostly playing defense when it comes to Congressional seats in Pennsylvania. And Democrats targeted a number of seats for a pick-up. Here’s a look at some of the key ones. PA Post will be adding information about more races as the night goes on.
The toss-ups
PA-1
The candidates: Democrat Scott Wallace, a wealthy philanthropist, challenged Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick is a former FBI agent and federal prosecutor.
During the campaign, Fitzpatrick emphasized moderate positions he’s taken, such as opposing repeal of the Affordable Care Act and supporting increased gun restrictions. At one debate, he even told Wallace not to say the word “Republican.” Wallace linked Fitzpatrick to Republican President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan.
The district: Bucks County and part of Montgomery County
Matt Rourke / Associated Press
Candidate for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., gestures after casting his ballot in Langhorne, Pa., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.
Matt Rourke / Associated Press
Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District Scott Wallace gestures afters after casting his ballot in Buckingham, Pa., Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018.
With 186 out of 304 districts in – more than 1/2 way there – it looks like GOP incumbent FitzPatrick has pulled ahead slightly with 51.2% of the vote compared to Wallace at 48.8%. #BucksVotes
— Jo Ciavaglia (@JoCiavaglia) November 7, 2018
Cheers erupt at Fitzpatrick HQ with folks saying he’s beat Wallace.
— Laura Benshoff (@LEBenshoff) November 7, 2018
Fitzpatrick’s campaign was celebrating late Tuesday evening, and The Associated Press called the race for him.
Fitzpatrick’s campaign folks have come out and started hugging. Expect a speech soon. pic.twitter.com/pnHSNZFqyB
— Laura Benshoff (@LEBenshoff) November 7, 2018
PA-10
The candidates: Democrat George Scott, an Army veteran and Lutheran minister, challenged U.S. Rep. Scott Perry. Perry, a former state lawmaker, was first elected to Congress in 2012. Perry is an Iraq war veteran who was promoted to brigadier general in the Army National Guard in 2015.
Matt Slocum / Associated Press
George Scott, left, Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District, and his wife, Donna Scott, walk to vote at Celebration Community Church, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Dillsburg, Pa.
Matt Slocum / Associated Press
Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., right, candidate for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District, greets a voter outside the Carroll Township Municipal Building, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Dillsburg, Pa.
Perry: “Look, we know the district fairly well, obviously, and we know how this is gonna come in. We we’re gonna (be) behind early on. But I think, as the night goes on it’s going to perform better and better for us.” (1/2)
— Ed Mahon (@edmahonreporter) November 7, 2018
The Associated Press called the race for Perry.
The seat leaning toward Dems
PA-7
The candidates: Democrat Susan Wild, the former solicitor for Allentown city; Republican Marty Nothstein, a Lehigh County commissioner and an Olympic gold medalist for cycling; and Libertarian Tim Silfies. All three were running for an open seat, following the resignation of former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, a Republican.
The Associated Press called the race for Wild.
The district: Lehigh and Northampton counties, plus part of Monroe County
Jacqueline Larma / AP Photo
Susan Wild, Democratic candidate in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, speaks to a supporter after casting her vote Tuesday Nov. 6, 2018, in Allentown, Pa. Wild is facing Republican Marty Nothstein for the seat held by Charlie Dent, who retired.
Jacqueline Larma / Associated Press
Marty Nothstein, Republican candidate in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, arrive at his polling station to vote Tuesday Nov. 6, 2018, in New Tripoli, Pa. Nothstein is facing Democrat Susan Wild for the seat held by Charlie Dent who retired.
The seat leaning toward Republicans
PA-16
The candidates: Republican Mike Kelly, whose family has a long history in the car dealership business, was first elected to Congress in 2010. Democrat Ron DiNicola, a Marine veteran and attorney, challenged him.
A third candidate, Libertarian Ebert Beeman, was also on the ballot.
The district: Crawford, Erie, Lawrence and Mercer counties, plus part of Butler County
The Associated Press called the race for Kelly.
A reach for Democrats
PA-11
The candidates: U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, who was first elected in 2016; and Democrat Jess King.
The district: Lancaster County, plus part of York County.
Rep. Lloyd Smucker talks with supporters while awaiting results for 11th district. pic.twitter.com/13mfd48zjS
— Marie Cusick (@MarieCusick) November 7, 2018
Smucker thanks supporters, opponent Jess King, after winning second term in Pa. 11 pic.twitter.com/5c2nCEhuoz
— Marie Cusick (@MarieCusick) November 7, 2018
“This campaign has always been about you,” Smucker told a crowd of supporters gathered Tuesday night at election party in Manheim, Lancaster County. “Not more government, not more Washington, not more empowering bureaucrats to make decisions for you. A vision of individual responsibly and personal freedom. That was our promise in 2016.”
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