Pennsylvania primary election voter guide: What are the key races?

PENNSYLVANIA - Pennsylvania voters will head to the polls on May 19 for the state’s 2026 primary election, helping decide which candidates advance to the November general election for key federal, state and local races.

Pennsylvania is expected to remain a major battleground in the 2026 midterms, with several competitive congressional races that could help determine which party controls Congress. As of May 2026, Republicans hold the majority in both the House and Senate.

With control of Congress and key statewide offices on the line, Pennsylvania’s primary is expected to draw national attention ahead of November, per Ballotpedia. 

Below is a guide to some of the key races Pennsylvania voters will see on the ballot this year, including major congressional contests and other closely watched elections across the state.

Pennsylvania governor 

Josh Shapiro (Democrat)

Gov. Josh Shapiro is the incumbent and remains one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent figures nationally, according to Ballotpedia. 

He has focused heavily on infrastructure, economic development, abortion rights and bipartisan governance during his first term. 

Shapiro has no primary challenger on the ballot for the Democratic nomination. 

Stacy Garrity (Republican)

Stacy Garrity currently serves as Pennsylvania’s state treasurer and is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve.

She has positioned herself as a conservative focused on fiscal issues, government accountability and public safety. Like Shapiro, she is running effectively unopposed in the primary.

Why this race matters:

Dig deeper:

Although the primaries are largely uncontested, the governor’s race is expected to become Pennsylvania’s top statewide political battle heading into November.

Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District (Democratic Primary)

Ala Stanford

Ala Stanford is a physician and public health advocate who gained statewide attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for her work expanding testing access in underserved communities, according to her faculty biography; she is a practice of biology professor at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts and Sciences. 

She has campaigned on health care equity, economic opportunity and public health policy.

Sharif Street

Sharif Street is an attorney who serves in the Pennsylvania State Senate, and previously served as Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, according to his campaign website. He stepped down from that role to focus on his congressional campaign last year. 

He has emphasized criminal justice reform, economic investment and voting rights during his campaign. 

Chris Rabb

Chris Rabb is a progressive state lawmaker known for advocating policies related to criminal justice reform, economic inequality and environmental justice.

He has built support among progressive activists and younger Democratic voters.

Shaun Griffith

Shaun Griffith, an attorney and western Pennsylvania native, is also running in the crowded Democratic field.

His campaign has focused on local community concerns and expanding representation for Philadelphia residents.

Why this race matters:

Dig deeper:

The Democratic primary in Philadelphia-based District 3 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and high-profile House races in Pennsylvania, according to Ballotpedia. 

The 3rd Congressional District of Pennsylvania is based entirely in Philadelphia and includes much of West Philadelphia, portions of Center City, sections of Northwest Philadelphia and areas of South Philadelphia. It's widely considered the most Democratic district in the country, according to the Cook Political Report. 

Whoever wins this race will face off against the Republican nominee in November, and any third-party or independent candidates if they qualify for the ballot. 

Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District (Democratic Primary)

Carol Obando-Derstine

Carol Obando-Derstine has focused her campaign on health care access, reproductive rights and working-family issues. She is "an engineer, advocate and educator," according to her campaign website. 

She has emphasized grassroots organizing and coalition-building throughout the Lehigh Valley. 

Bob Brooks

Bob Brooks is campaigning on economic development, public safety and support for small businesses.

He spent 20 years as a firefighter in Bethlehem and now serves as the union President of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association, according to his campaign website. 

He has sought to appeal to moderate Democratic voters in the swing district. 

Lamont McClure

Lamont McClure is the former Northampton County executive and is one of the best-known candidates in the race.

He has highlighted his local government experience, infrastructure projects and economic growth in the region during his campaign, according to his campaign website. 

Ryan Crosswell

Before entering politics, Ryan Crosswell served as a federal prosecutor at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), handling public corruption and fraud cases focused on government accountability. In 2025, he stepped down from the DOJ, saying it was in protest over internal decisions he believed undermined prosecutorial independence.

Crosswell has focused his campaign on affordability issues, education and expanding economic opportunities for middle-class families in eastern Pennsylvania, according to his campaign website. 

Why this race matters:

Dig deeper:

District 7 is considered one of Pennsylvania’s most competitive congressional districts and could play a role in determining control of the U.S. House, according to Ballotpedia.

It is centered in the Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania and includes all of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, along with part of Monroe County. It includes major communities such as Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, along with surrounding suburban and rural areas.

The Lehigh Valley has become a major political battleground, making both the primary and general election closely watched contests. In recent election cycles, the area has shifted from a more reliably Republican-leaning area to a highly competitive region, with tighter margins in both statewide and federal races, according to the Commonwealth. 

It is also widely viewed as a bellwether for broader trends in Pennsylvania, a key presidential swing state.

Whoever wins this race will face off against the Republican nominee in November, and any third-party or independent candidates if they qualify for the ballot.

Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District (Democratic Primary)

Justin Douglas

Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas has campaigned as a progressive candidate focused on health care, labor rights and economic fairness, according to his campaign website. 

He has worked to build support among younger and more progressive Democratic voters.

Janelle Stelson

Janelle Stelson is a former television news anchor who previously ran for Congress and quickly became a high-profile Democratic figure in central Pennsylvania politics, according to her campaign website. 

Her campaign has centered on protecting abortion rights, defending democracy and lowering costs for families.

Why this race matters:

Dig deeper:

The 10th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, centered in the Harrisburg and York regions, is considered a competitive seat heading into the November election, according to the Cook Political Report. 

Its recent electoral history and demographic mix have kept it on the radar of national analysts as a district where either party could be competitive depending on the broader political environment.

Whoever wins this race will face the Republican nominee in November, along with any third-party or independent candidates who qualify for the ballot under Pennsylvania’s election rules. Incumbent Scott Perry (R) is running unopposed in the primary.

Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District (Democratic Primary)

Bob Harvie

Bob Harvie serves as a Bucks County commissioner and is a former educator.

His campaign has focused on protecting abortion rights, strengthening public education and defending democratic institutions, according to his campaign website. 

Lucia Simonelli

Lucia Simonelli, a mathematician with a PhD who served as a scientific adviser in the U.S. Senate on energy and climate policy, is running for Congress.

She's campaigned on affordability, public safety and government accountability.

She has sought to position herself as an alternative voice in the Democratic primary field, according to Blue Voter Guide. 

Why this race matters:

Dig deeper:

District 1, located in suburban Bucks County, remains one of the most politically competitive areas in Pennsylvania, according to the Cook Political Report. 

The Democratic nominee will likely face Republican incumbent Brian Fitzpatrick, one of the GOP’s most prominent moderates in Congress. Fitzpatrick is running unopposed in the primary. 

Pennsylvania State House District 100 (Republican Primary)

Dave Nissley

Longtime Lancaster County business owner Dave Nissley is running on conservative priorities, including lower taxes, public safety and support for local businesses.

He lost his most recent campaign in 2024 by just a few hundred votes, according to Ballotpedia. Bryan Cutler defeated him. 

He's additionally emphasized community involvement and fiscal responsibility during the campaign.

Kelly Osborne

Retired Pennsylvania State Police master trooper Kelly Osborne has campaigned on government transparency, education issues and economic development in the district.

She has sought to appeal to Republican voters looking for new leadership in Harrisburg, according to her campaign website. 

Why this race matters:

Dig deeper:

Pennsylvania State House District 100 is located in Lancaster County in southeastern Pennsylvania and includes a mix of rural and small-town communities such as Quarryville, Strasburg and surrounding townships including Bart, Providence and Drumore. 

While smaller than the statewide and congressional contests, State House races could determine control of the Pennsylvania legislature, as Democrats currently hold a one-seat majority. 

With every seat in the Pennsylvania House up for election in 2026, even local primaries could have broader political implications later this year.

Whoever wins the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House District 100 will face the Democratic nominee in the general election in November, along with any qualified third-party or independent candidates.

ElectionNewsPennsylvania PoliticsPennsylvaniaPolitics