Pennsylvania voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, to cast their votes in the state's primary election. This election will determine which candidates will advance to the general election in November, where they will compete for various state and federal offices.
In this article, we'll provide an overview of the candidates who are on the ballot for Pennsylvania's primary election. We'll cover the races for governor, lieutenant governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives. So, whether you're a registered Democrat, Republican, or Independent, this article has the information you need to make informed decisions on Election Day.
Who is on the Ballot for PA Primary
Voters decide candidates for November election.
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. House
- Statewide Offices
- Local Races
Check your sample ballot for full list of candidates.
Governor
The race for Governor of Pennsylvania is one of the most closely watched races in the country. The current governor, Tom Wolf, is term-limited and cannot run for re-election. This has opened the door for a number of candidates to vie for the Democratic and Republican nominations.
- Josh Shapiro (Democrat)
Shapiro is the current Attorney General of Pennsylvania. He is a rising star in the Democratic Party and is considered to be the frontrunner in the primary.
- Joe Gale (Republican)
Gale is a businessman and former state representative. He is seen as a moderate Republican who could appeal to voters in both parties.
- Doug Mastriano (Republican)
Mastriano is a state senator and retired Army colonel. He is a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and is considered to be the most conservative candidate in the race.
- Nche Zama (Democrat)
Zama is a physician and former state representative. She is running on a progressive platform that includes Medicare for All and a Green New Deal.
These are just a few of the candidates who are running for Governor of Pennsylvania. The primary election will be held on May 16, 2023, and the general election will be held on November 7, 2023.
Lieutenant Governor
The Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania is the second-highest ranking official in the state government. The Lieutenant Governor presides over the State Senate and serves as acting Governor in the absence of the Governor.
- Austin Davis (Democrat)
Davis is a state representative and former Mayor of McKeesport. He is a rising star in the Democratic Party and is considered to be the frontrunner in the primary.
- Teddy Daniels (Republican)
Daniels is a businessman and former state representative. He is seen as a moderate Republican who could appeal to voters in both parties.
- Chris Gebhard (Republican)
Gebhard is a former state representative and current Chairman of the York County Republican Party. He is a conservative Republican who is running on a platform of lower taxes and less government regulation.
- Brian Sims (Democrat)
Sims is a state representative and former professional football player. He is a progressive Democrat who is running on a platform that includes Medicare for All and a Green New Deal.
These are just a few of the candidates who are running for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania. The primary election will be held on May 16, 2023, and the general election will be held on November 7, 2023.
U.S. Senate
Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate seat is currently held by Republican Pat Toomey, who is retiring at the end of his term. This has opened up the race for a number of candidates from both parties.
- John Fetterman (Democrat)
Fetterman is the current Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania. He is a progressive Democrat who is running on a platform that includes Medicare for All and a Green New Deal.
- Mehmet Oz (Republican)
Oz is a celebrity doctor and television personality. He is a moderate Republican who is running on a platform of lower taxes and less government regulation.
- David McCormick (Republican)
McCormick is a businessman and former hedge fund manager. He is a conservative Republican who is running on a platform of strong national defense and border security.
- Kathy Barnette (Republican)
Barnette is a conservative commentator and political activist. She is running on a platform of Christian nationalism and opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage.
These are just a few of the candidates who are running for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. The primary election will be held on May 16, 2023, and the general election will be held on November 7, 2023.
U.S. House
All 18 of Pennsylvania's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election in 2022. The state's congressional delegation is currently split, with 9 Democrats and 9 Republicans. However, the map has been redrawn in favor of the Republicans, and they are expected to gain seats in the upcoming election.
Some of the most competitive races to watch include:
- PA-01: This district, which includes parts of Philadelphia and its suburbs, is currently held by Democrat Brian Fitzpatrick. However, the district has been redrawn to favor Republicans, and Fitzpatrick is facing a tough challenge from Republican challenger Dean Browning.
- PA-07: This district, which includes the Lehigh Valley and parts of Berks County, is currently held by Democrat Susan Wild. However, the district has also been redrawn to favor Republicans, and Wild is facing a challenge from Republican challenger Lisa Scheller.
- PA-17: This district, which includes parts of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, is currently held by Democrat Conor Lamb. However, the district has been redrawn to favor Republicans, and Lamb is facing a challenge from Republican challenger Sean Parnell.
These are just a few of the competitive races to watch in Pennsylvania's U.S. House elections. The primary election will be held on May 16, 2023, and the general election will be held on November 7, 2023.
In addition to the races listed above, there are a number of other competitive races to watch across the state. For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website.
Statewide Offices
In addition to the races for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and U.S. Senate, there are also a number of statewide offices up for election in Pennsylvania in 2022. These include:
- Attorney General
- Auditor General
- Treasurer
- Secretary of State
- Commissioner of Insurance
These offices are responsible for a variety of important functions, such as enforcing the law, auditing state finances, and overseeing elections. The candidates for these offices are:
Attorney General- Josh Shapiro (Democrat): Shapiro is the current Attorney General of Pennsylvania. He is running for re-election.
- Heather Heidelbaugh (Republican): Heidelbaugh is a former prosecutor and defense attorney. She is challenging Shapiro for the Democratic nomination.
- Timothy DeFoor (Republican): DeFoor is the current Auditor General of Pennsylvania. He is running for re-election.
- Michael Lamb (Democrat): Lamb is a former state representative and accountant. He is challenging DeFoor for the Republican nomination.
- Stacy Garrity (Democrat): Garrity is the current Treasurer of Pennsylvania. She is running for re-election.
- Neil Weaver (Republican): Weaver is a former state representative and businessman. He is challenging Garrity for the Democratic nomination.
These are just a few of the candidates who are running for statewide office in Pennsylvania. The primary election will be held on May 16, 2023, and the general election will be held on November 7, 2023.
For more information on the candidates and the races, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website.
Local Races
In addition to the statewide races, there are also a number of local races that will be decided in Pennsylvania's primary election. These races include:
- State Representative
- State Senator
- County Commissioner
- Sheriff
- District Attorney
- Mayor
- School Board
These races are important because they have a direct impact on the lives of Pennsylvanians. State representatives and senators make laws that affect everything from education to healthcare to taxes. County commissioners oversee the operation of county government, including roads, bridges, and parks. Sheriffs are responsible for law enforcement in their counties. District attorneys prosecute crimes. Mayors oversee the operation of city government. And school board members set policy for public schools.
There are many qualified candidates running for local office in Pennsylvania. To learn more about the candidates in your area, you can visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website or contact your local county election office.
The primary election will be held on May 16, 2023, and the general election will be held on November 7, 2023. Make sure you are registered to vote and that you know where your polling place is.
Your vote matters! Local elections have a big impact on your community, so make sure you do your research and vote for the candidates who you think will best represent your interests.
FAQ
Who is on the ballot for PA primary?
There are a number of candidates running for office in Pennsylvania's primary election, including candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, statewide offices, and local offices.
Question 1: Who are the candidates for Governor?
Answer 1: The candidates for Governor are Josh Shapiro (Democrat), Joe Gale (Republican), Doug Mastriano (Republican), and Nche Zama (Democrat).
Question 2: Who are the candidates for Lieutenant Governor?
Answer 2: The candidates for Lieutenant Governor are Austin Davis (Democrat), Teddy Daniels (Republican), Chris Gebhard (Republican), and Brian Sims (Democrat).
Question 3: Who are the candidates for U.S. Senate?
Answer 3: The candidates for U.S. Senate are John Fetterman (Democrat), Mehmet Oz (Republican), David McCormick (Republican), and Kathy Barnette (Republican).
Question 4: Who are the candidates for U.S. House?
Answer 4: There are a number of candidates running for U.S. House in Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website.
Question 5: Who are the candidates for statewide offices?
Answer 5: The candidates for statewide offices are Josh Shapiro (Democrat) and Heather Heidelbaugh (Republican) for Attorney General; Timothy DeFoor (Republican) and Michael Lamb (Democrat) for Auditor General; Stacy Garrity (Democrat) and Neil Weaver (Republican) for Treasurer; and Kathy Boockvar (Democrat) and Joe Gale (Republican) for Secretary of State.
Question 6: Who are the candidates for local offices?
Answer 6: There are a number of candidates running for local offices in Pennsylvania. To learn more about the candidates in your area, you can visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website or contact your local county election office.
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These are just a few of the questions that you may have about the candidates who are running for office in Pennsylvania's primary election. For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website.
Tips for Voting in Pennsylvania's Primary Election
Tips
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Here are a few tips to help you vote in Pennsylvania's primary election:
Tip 1: Register to vote.
The deadline to register to vote in Pennsylvania's primary election is May 2, 2023. You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person at your county election office.
Tip 2: Check your voter registration status.
You can check your voter registration status online or by contacting your county election office. Make sure that your voter registration is up to date and that you are registered at the correct address.
Tip 3: Find your polling place.
You can find your polling place online or by contacting your county election office. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day, May 16, 2023.
Tip 4: Bring a photo ID.
You will need to bring a photo ID with you when you vote. Acceptable forms of photo ID include a driver's license, a passport, or a military ID. If you do not have a photo ID, you can still vote by provisional ballot. However, your provisional ballot will not be counted until you provide a photo ID to your county election office.
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By following these tips, you can make sure that you are able to vote in Pennsylvania's primary election. Your vote matters! Make sure you make your voice heard.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Summary of Main Points
Pennsylvania's primary election is an important opportunity for voters to choose the candidates who will represent them in the general election. There are a number of candidates running for office, including candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, statewide offices, and local offices. Voters should research the candidates and their positions on the issues before casting their ballots.
Closing Message
Your vote matters! Make sure you are registered to vote and that you know where your polling place is. Polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Election Day, May 16, 2023. Bring a photo ID with you when you vote. By following these tips, you can make sure that your voice is heard in Pennsylvania's primary election.
The candidates who are elected in the primary election will go on to compete in the general election on November 7, 2023. The winners of the general election will take office in January 2023.
Stay informed about the candidates and the issues by visiting the Pennsylvania Department of State website and following local news coverage.