Blue-Eyed Souls? Fallout from Dems’ Big Election Win

Across America, voters turned out last week and supported Democrats to reclaim Congress and state governments in a seeming repudiation of President Donald Trump’s second term. In the Keystone State, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s coattails proved long enough to start his second term in Harrisburg with a Democrat trifecta for the first time since 1993.

Democrats entered November 3rd knowing they needed to flip two Senate seats to force a tie in the upper chamber which would be broken by Lt-Gov. Austin Davis. They got four, along with nine seats in the state House to secure their majority and hand the incumbents a powerful alliance, instead of a split legislature that led to late budgets, gridlock, and unfulfilled campaign promises. Shapiro also backed four seat flips in the House of Representatives, leaving Democrats in charge of all the eastern districts.

The Keystone State has been uniquely purple for decades. Fourteen governors have served since the 1950 election – seven on each side. Since 1952, Democrats have won the state 11 times in the Electoral College, while Democrats have nine wins. 

“Pennsylvania is a bluer shade of purple after Tuesday, but expect it to remain competitive every cycle,” longtime Harrisburg consultant Brittany Crampise told RealClearPennsylvania. “The 2025 and ‘26 general elections were huge blue waves for us, but in ‘24 we lost at the top of the ticket, a US Senate seat, a handful of House seats, and the row offices. I do; however, think that Tuesday’s results are going to be a bit more lasting because of the strong program that the PA Dems have been building for the past year – stemming previous losses in voter registration and posting gains every month since.”

Former Philadelphia City Council staffer Jawad Pullin, now working for State Sen. Sharif Street, had a more optimistic take: “I think we're a ways from becoming a 'blue state' but our trifecta gives us an opportunity to show Pennsylvanians how Democrats govern: fighting for higher wages, stronger public services, better schools, affordable healthcare, a cleaner environment, and the protection of our rights and freedoms, and I think our strong record of governance will turn us into a 'blue state’,” he said.

While Shapiro never felt really challenged by Garrity, out-fundraising and outspending his challenger, he did borrow a page from the last Democrat to win a statewide race – U.S. Sen. John Fetterman. While Shapiro makes official visits to most of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, his bus tour this fall took him to 29 counties across the commonwealth. Shapiro only won 22 counties but did improve his vote share from 2022 in all but three of them.

“There’s no replacement for meeting voters where they are, and Gov. Shapiro’s campaign this year showed that Democrats can be competitive anywhere that they show up” Crampise said. “His bus tour took him to places that Democrats previously hadn’t invested a lot of resources, and it was enormously successful. Counties that had been Republican strongholds for decades turned blue because of strong field campaigns by the Governor and down ballot candidates.”

Democrats across the country won with what they considered messaging that connected with the American voters. While Republicans who spoke to RealClearPennsylvania backed President Trump’s vision – tepidly at times – Democrats were frustrated with rising costs, cruel immigration enforcement and the ongoing fighting in Iran. Pullin said the excitement level gave Democrats a winning edge.

“Both sides exhausted voters with TV ads, but the ground game advantage was clear for Democrats,” he said. “More enthusiasm, more volunteers. Field trumps all when it comes to campaigns, no matter what level.”

RealClearPennsylvania did reach out to Republicans in the counties visited for on-the-ground reporting. Requests for interviews went unanswered at time of publication.

What's next?

The General Assembly will begin a new session with the Democrats in charge of both chambers, swearing in members about two weeks before Shapiro takes his second oath of office. 

2027 looks promising for those whose policy priorities have been stymied by Republican control. One of the biggest winners should be mass transit systems, like the regional powerhouse SEPTA, who have struggled to balance their budgets. Democrats have tried to increase the minimum wage for nearly two decades and now have the votes to pass a rate higher than $7.25 an hour.

Shapiro will be the first Democratic governor since Bob Casey Sr. to enjoy his party’s control over the legislature. How long will he enjoy it? That’s another question.

Shapiro’s national stock certainly rose on Election Day with the Democratic wins. A finalist for vice president in 2024, many consider him a top contender for the presidential nomination. He can keep his day job should he decide to toss his hat in the ring. When or where he will do that is a fun parlor game to play with insiders.

“I can't imagine any decisions about any future political endeavors being made before next year's state budget is signed, but if the Sixers win an NBA title few will be sober enough to pronounce their own name let alone declare a candidacy for President…” Pullin said when asked if Shapiro could declare at the parade down Broad Street if the Philadelphia 76ers win the NBA title in June.

Marco Cerino is a reporter based in Philadelphia.