PA down ballot results

[DeminPennswoods]

All US House candidates won re-election, so the delegation remains the same at 9D, 9R. I was hoping Dems could oust Perry in PA10, but the huge Trumper turnout carried him to a win..

It looks as if Josh Shapiro will win re-election as Atty Gen, but Rs won the Treasurer and Aud Gen row offices. It's ashame, too, because Torsella was an outstanding state treasurer. DePasquale was term-limited out as Aud Gen. Nina Ahmed would've been good, but she's from Philly so that in itself probably lost her votes.

In the state senate, Rs picked up 2 seats although 1 is very close (600 votes) and might hinge on the remaining mail ballot count in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.

Looks like 89 Dems, of 203 total, in the state house.

[femmocrat]

1. So disappointing that the democrats didn't do better.

I was really worried about Conor Lamb, but last I heard he was ahead.

[modrepub]

2. When I Looked At The Aud. Gen.

candidate's name on the ballot, I knew that office was lost. Large swaths of this state probably looked at that name and said "no way am I voting for that..." (fill in a derogatory name of your choice).

Once the voting is more finalized, I'd be curious what the total Dem/Rep votes versus its actual representation in the assembly. It would also be nice to know how many "spoiled" mail in ballots there were. That would have reduced the number of votes counted for Dems.

[DeminPennswoods]

3. For years, house districts have been built for incumbent

protection regardless of which party controlled the governorship. It will be interesting to see what Gov Wolf does. Rs picked up a few seats, but not enough to override a veto.

I know FairdistrictsPA is working hard to get a bill through that would put redistricting in the hands of an independent, citizen-centric commission, but so far without success. Maybe there's one of the groups where you are.

[Amishman]

4. I don't like the idea of a commission much either

It would end up like our courts - in theory independent but in reality it becomes just one more chess piece to control in the political game.

I don't see any remotely fair option long term other than computer algorithm to draw the districts.

[DeminPennswoods]

5. Whoever draws the lines for the state house/senate districts

is going to use a computer algorithm.

[DeminPennswoods]

6. We will have 2 "firsts" in the state legislature in 2021

The GOP controlled state senate has elected its first female majority leader in Sen Kim Ward from Westmoreland county.

The minority state house Dems have elected their first female leader and first AfAm, Rep Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia.

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/11/pa-house-democrats-elect-new-leaders-for-2021-22-session.html

Also, of the 90 member Dem caucus, more than 1/3 (32) are women.