Pennsylvania Voters Decide Fate of Three Democratic Supreme Court Justices in High-Stakes Retention Election

Pennsylvania voters faced a high-stakes retention election for three Democratic justices of the state Supreme Court—Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht—each seeking a 10-year term. These justices, who have focused on issues like voting access, reproductive rights, criminal justice reform, and court accessibility, hold a 5-2 Democratic majority on the court, which significantly influences key state decisions including redistricting and election law. The election drew intense political attention and record spending, with President Donald Trump urging voters to reject retention, labeling the justices as radical and accusing them of controversial rulings and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Josh Shapiro countered Trump's claims, emphasizing Trump's lack of credibility on the rule of law. The Pennsylvania Bar Association recommended retaining all three justices, warning that failure to retain them could lead to a partisan deadlock on the court and affect upcoming elections and judicial decisions. This retention vote is seen as pivotal for Pennsylvania's judicial landscape and broader political implications through 2028.