Pennsylvania primaries 2024: Lee and Fitzpatrick survive, matchups set for November

538 tracked congressional and downballot primary races in the Keystone State.

By538 Staff via five thirty eight logo
Last Updated: April 23, 2024, 6:00 PM EDT

Pennsylvania is already in the thick of campaign season for November's presidential and U.S. Senate races, but on April 23, Democrats and Republicans in the Keystone State chose their candidates in a slate of other consequential races down the ballot this fall.

Among the key races to watch: a couple of incumbent House members — progressive Democrat Summer Lee and moderate Republican Brian Fitzpatrick — both fended off challengers from their right, and ballots are now set for a few other consequential contests that could help determine control of the House next year. Plus, some key battle lines for control of the state government in November are set, with the parties finalizing their candidates for attorney general, auditor, treasurer and both chambers of the state legislature.

538 reporters and contributors broke down the election results as they came in with live updates, analysis and commentary. Read our full live blog below.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Galen Druke Image
ByGalen Druke
Apr 23, 2024, 6:04 PM EDT

Listen to the 538 Politics podcast while you’re waiting for results!

It'll still be a little while before full results start rolling in from Pennsylvania, and, in the meantime, allow me to suggest some easy listening. Yup, it's the 538 Politics podcast!

On Monday's episode we previewed a couple of tonight's races in Pennsylvania and talked about the state's significance come November. We also considered whether House Speaker Mike Johnson can last as something of a coalitional speaker, frequently relying on votes from Democrats to get legislation passed. And lastly, we tested our knowledge of what Americans think about climate change, according to the polls. Give it a listen!

—Galen Druke, 538

Tia Yang Image
ByTia Yang
Apr 23, 2024, 3:25 PM EDT

Welcome!

Happy primary day to those who celebrate! (That's us, fellow Pennsyvlanians.)

The Keystone State is already in the public eye this election cycle, as it's expected to be a battleground state for both the presidential race and a critical U.S. Senate race between incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick. And there are consequential races down the ballot, too: Several competitive U.S. House races could impact the balance of the House majority, while Democrats are hoping to compete for control of both chambers of the state legislature to earn their first state government trifecta in more than 30 years.

Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. speaks at the Care Can't Wait Congressional Town Hall, April 10, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
Shannon Finney/Getty Images

And while the candidates for president and Senate are set, today's primary contests will determine just who's on the ballot from each party in those key down ballot races. Tonight, we're closely tracking a handful of significant U.S. House races, including progressive Rep. Summer Lee's bid to hold off a more moderate challenger; moderate Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick's challenge from the hard right; and a three-way GOP primary to decide who will face off against Rep. Susan Wild in one of the most competitive House races this fall. We've also got our eyes on some hotly contested primary contests for statewide offices like attorney general and a number of spicy state legislative races.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., speaks at a news conference, Jan. 31, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP, FILE

As usual, we'll be here to guide you through it all with the latest results and analysis throughout the evening. We should start seeing results come in shortly after polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern. Thanks for joining us!

—Tia Yang, 538