Gov. Josh Shapiro gives his 2024 budget address at the Capitol in Harrisburg Feb. 6, 2024 (Commonwealth Media Services photo)
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Thursday he is endorsing four candidates running for Pennsylvania Senate in the upcoming election, as Democrats seek to win a majority in the chamber for the first time since 1994.
“Pennsylvanians deserve leaders focused on commonsense solutions and ready to get stuff done — like raising the minimum wage, protecting a woman’s right to choose, and standing up for workers,” Shapiro said. “I’m proud to endorse Patty Kim, Nicole Ruscitto, Nick Pisciottano, and Jim Wertz because they will help me deliver on the priorities that Pennsylvanians care about – good schools for our kids, safer communities, economic opportunity in every community, and real freedom – all across the Commonwealth.”
Democrats hold 22 seats in the Senate and would need to win three to take the majority. The party has a one-seat majority in the state House after Democrats Keith Harris and Andre Carroll won uncontested special elections for two Philadelphia state House districts on Sept. 17, according to unofficial results. If they retain that majority and win control of the Senate, Democrats would have a trifecta in Harrisburg, controlling both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s office.
“The Senate Democratic Caucus is ready to take the majority and move on the progress that Pennsylvania is demanding,” caucus chairperson Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) said in a statement. “This is the year we deliver the trifecta and pass a minimum wage increase, move on gun violence prevention measures, enshrine reproductive rights, protect working families and get them the most basic benefits they deserve – like paid sick leave. Each of those bills need just one thing to become law: a Democratic Senate.”
Kim did not seek reelection to her seat in the state House to run for the open Senate seat in the 15th District, which includes parts of Dauphin and Perry counties. Kim won the April primary election easily and will face GOP Dauphin County treasurer Nick DiFrancesco in November. The winner will replace retiring GOP state Sen. John DiSanto.
Ruscitto, an educator and former Jefferson Hills borough council member is challenging Republican Devlin Robinson in the 37th Senate District, which encompasses several suburbs in Allegheny County. Pisciottano, who represents House District 38 in Allegheny County, is running for the open seat in the 45th Senate district, and received the support of retiring state Sen. Jim Brewster. He will face Republican business owner Jennifer Dintini. And Wertz, the former Erie County Democratic Party Chair, will face off against GOP state Sen. Dan Laughlin, who is seeking a third term representing the 49th Senate District in Erie County.
Shapiro endorsed 20 state House candidates in September, with some caught off guard — but pleased — to receive his support. He’s backing Democrats Eugene DePasquale for attorney general and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) for auditor general, but opted not to endorse in the state treasurer’s race. Erin McClelland, the Democratic candidate in that race, had been critical of Shapiro while he was under consideration to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate before she chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
The first-term governor had a higher favorability rating in a September poll from the New York Times, Siena College and Philadelphia Inquirer than Harris or singer and Berks County native Taylor Swift.
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