Live Results: Philadelphia DA, Pittsburgh Mayor and Five Legislative Special Elections
By 270toWin Staff
May 18, 2021
On Tuesday, Democratic primary voters in Philadelphia will select a nominee for District Attorney, while those in Pittsburgh will choose a nominee for mayor. Both winners will be heavy favorites in the November general election. There are also four special elections Tuesday to fill vacancies in the Pennsylvania state legislature. In addition, there is an all-party primary for a vacancy in the California Assembly.
Pennsylvania polls close at 8:00 PM ET, California 11:00 PM ET - follow along below for live results.
Philadelphia District Attorney Primary Election
We don't normally follow elections for district attorney, but this one stands out. How will voters respond to two opposing visions of the office, especially in the context of the prominence of these issues in the national discussion?
The incumbent, Larry Krasner was elected in 2017 on a progressive platform of criminal justice reform. During his term, he has worked to change both the incarceration rate and the length of supervision (parole and probation).
Krasner is being challenged by Carlos Vega, a long-time homicide prosecutor who was among three dozen fired by Krasner when he took office. Vega would like to return to a more traditional approach to prosecution and working with police, citing a notable uptick in violent crime during Krasner's tenure.
In a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 7-1, the winner of Tuesday's primary will be a heavy favorite in November. The GOP nominee will be Charles Peruto, Jr., who is unopposed.
Pittsburgh Mayoral Primary Election
Pittsburgh is the 66th largest city in the United States,1 1City rankings are based on July 1, 2019 Census Bureau population estimates. They are for the city itself, not the associated metropolitan area. with a population of about 300,000. The current mayor is Democrat Bill Peduto, who is seeking his third term. A sitting Pittsburgh mayor running for reelection has not been defeated since before World War II. However, Peduto has a well-funded opponent in State Representative Ed Gainey.
No Republicans filed to run in a party primary, all but ensuring Tuesday's winner is elected in November. Pittsburgh has not had a Republican mayor since 1934.
State Senate Special General Elections
Pennsylvania Districts 22 and 48
There are 50 State Senate districts in Pennsylvania. Currently, the chamber has 27 Republicans, 20 Democrats and 1 independent. Special elections Tuesday will fill both vacancies. The next regularly scheduled elections are in 2022.
The District 22 vacancy was created by the resignation of Democrat John Blake on March 8. Blake was in his third term, and had most recently been reelected by a 61%-28% margin in 2018. The major party candidates are Democrat Martin Flynn and Republican Chris Chermak.
The District 48 vacancy was created by the death of Republican David Arnold on January 17. Arnold assumed office in 2020, winning a special election by 65% to 35%. That election was necessitated by the resignation of Republican Mike Folmer in September, 2019. The major party candidates are Republican Chris Gebhard and Democrat Calvin Clements.
State House Special General Elections
Pennsylvania Districts 59 and 60
There are 203 State House districts in Pennsylvania. Currently, the chamber has 111 Republicans and 90 Democrats. Special elections Tuesday will fill both vacancies. The next regularly scheduled elections are in 2022.
The District 59 vacancy was created by the death of Republican Mike Reese on January 2. Reese had been unopposed for reelection this past November. The major party candidates are Republican Leslie Rossi and Democrat Mariah Fisher.
The District 60 vacancy was created by the resignation of Republican Jeff Pyle on March 16. Pyle had been unopposed for reelection this past November. The major party candidates are Republican Abby Major and Democrat Frank Prazenica.
State Assembly Special Primary Election
California District 54
There are 80 seats in the California State Assembly. It is currently comprised of 58 Democrats, 19 Republicans and 1 independent. Districts 18 and 54 are vacant. The next regularly scheduled elections are in 2022.
The District 54 vacancy was created when the former Assemblywoman, Democrat Sydney Kamlager won a State Senate special election in March.
This is a very Democratic area; there are no Republicans on the six-person ballot. If no candidate gets a majority of the vote, a top two runoff will be held on July 20.
Upcoming May 25
- Alabama State House District 78 Special Democratic Primary
