Pennsylvania Holds Critical Primary Elections as Key Swing State in 2024 Presidential Race

Pennsylvania held its presidential primary and other critical elections on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, as a key swing state in the upcoming presidential race. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both won their respective party primaries, setting the stage for a November rematch in the battleground state.

The primary also cemented the high-profile Senate match-up between Democratic incumbent Bob Casey and Republican Dave McCormick. Casey, seeking his fourth term, is a stalwart of the state's Democratic Party, while McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO, is backed by a super PAC that has already raised over $20 million. The Senate race is expected to be challenging, costly, and fiercely contested, with both candidates vying for the state's critical votes. "Pennsylvania will be among the most-watched battleground states in the upcoming presidential race," according to the Associated Press.

Why this matters: The outcome of the elections in Pennsylvania, a pivotal swing state, will have substantial implications for the 2024 presidential race and control of the U.S. Senate. Pennsylvania's diverse electorate and status as a key battleground make it a critical test for both parties' messages and candidates.

Other notable results from the primary include Republican Dave Sunday and Democrat Eugene DePasquale winning their parties' nominations for attorney general, and a tight race in a West Philadelphia-based Pennsylvania House district between State Rep. Amen Brown and progressive challenger Cass Green. Philadelphia voters also approved a ballot question requiring the city to indemnify Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) due to their involvement in zoning matters.

Elsewhere on the ballot, Pennsylvanians decided nominees for two other statewide offices and all 17 of the state's U.S. House seats. While Biden and Trump did not personally campaign in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, they had both visited the state the previous week for major campaign stops, emphasizing its importance in the general election.

The primary elections in Pennsylvania revealed insights about the major issues shaping the general election, particularly on abortion and the Israel-Hamas war. Candidates across the races ran on some of the biggest topics facing the country, and the results could provide a window into the views of Democratic and Republican voters on these central issues for November. As a critical swing state with 19 Electoral College votes up for grabs, Pennsylvania is poised to be a top prize and a toss-up in the anticipated Biden-Trump rematch.

Key Takeaways

• Pennsylvania held its presidential primary on April 23, 2024, with Biden and Trump winning their parties' nominations.
• The Senate race between Democratic incumbent Bob Casey and Republican Dave McCormick is expected to be highly contested.
• The outcomes in Pennsylvania, a key swing state, will significantly impact the 2024 presidential race and control of the U.S. Senate.
• Republican Dave Sunday and Democrat Eugene DePasquale won their parties' nominations for Pennsylvania Attorney General.
• Philadelphia voters approved a ballot measure to indemnify Registered Community Organizations involved in zoning matters.