Lead: On Election Day 2025, voters across Pennsylvania — and neighboring New Jersey — delivered a slate of results that favored Democrats in several high-profile contests. The vote came during the first general election since President Donald Trump returned to the White House and produced wins in statewide judicial races, Philadelphia citywide offices, and a number of suburban contests. Notable outcomes include Mikie Sherrill’s victory in New Jersey’s governor’s race, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner winning a third term, and voters opting to retain three Democratic justices on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Counting continues in some precincts, but the broad picture shows Democratic gains in both urban and several suburban jurisdictions.
Key Takeaways
- New Jersey governor: Democrat Mikie Sherrill defeated Republican Jack Ciattarelli in a high-profile contest viewed as a bellwether for 2026.
- Philadelphia DA: Incumbent Larry Krasner won a third term over Republican Pat Dugan, maintaining progressive control of the office.
- Philadelphia controller: Incumbent Christy Brady (D) defeated Republican Ari Patrinos to retain the city’s chief financial oversight role.
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Voters chose to retain three Democratic justices in a usually low-profile yes/no retention vote after an organized Republican effort to remove them.
- Pennsylvania appellate races: Democrat Brandon Neuman won a Superior Court seat over Republican Maria Battista and Liberal Party candidate Daniel Wassmer; Alice DeBow held her seat. On the Commonwealth Court, Democrat Stella Tsai defeated Republican Matt Wolford while Judge Michael Wojcik was retained.
- Suburban milestones: Downingtown elected Erica Deuso as Pennsylvania’s first openly transgender mayor; Bucks County elected Joe Khan as the county’s first Democratic district attorney; Democrat Danny Ceisler unseated Republican Fred Harran for sheriff.
- Local ballot measures: Voters in three townships considered tax increases for open-space preservation and policing; results varied by township and are summarized below.
Background
The 2025 general election occurred in a charged political environment. National attention centered on how voters would react after President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and whether that shift would translate into gains for Republicans at state and local levels. Pennsylvania and New Jersey, both politically competitive states with recent swings in statewide contests, were scrutinized for early signs of momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Historically, judicial retention and local prosecutor races draw lower turnout and less media coverage than gubernatorial contests, but organized campaigns have increasingly targeted these offices for policy impact. In Pennsylvania, recent disputes over criminal justice policy, election law, and court rulings elevated state judicial contests into more visible battlegrounds. Suburban demographics that shifted in the 2018–2022 cycles remained central to several county-level outcomes in 2025.
Main Event
The standout statewide headline in the region was the New Jersey governor’s contest: Democrat Mikie Sherrill secured victory against Republican Jack Ciattarelli in a race that attracted national resources and attention. That outcome was framed by campaign messaging on the economy, crime, and education and was followed closely as a possible indicator for the national landscape next year.
In Philadelphia, the re-election of District Attorney Larry Krasner to a third term confirmed continuity in the city’s prosecutorial approach. Krasner’s campaign emphasized criminal justice reforms and public-safety programs, while his challenger Pat Dugan ran on a platform prioritizing tougher enforcement. Voters also returned Christy Brady as controller, signaling continued support for the current city leadership team.
On the Pennsylvania appellate benches, retention and open-seat contests yielded results favorable to Democrats. Voters retained three Democratic justices on the state Supreme Court despite a concerted Republican push — including appeals from national figures — to remove them. Brandon Neuman (D) won a Superior Court seat, and Stella Tsai (D) captured a Commonwealth Court seat; several sitting judges, including Alice DeBow and Michael Wojcik, were retained.
Suburban and county-level races featured several historic firsts. Downingtown voters elected Erica Deuso as the borough’s mayor, the first openly transgender person to hold a mayoral post in Pennsylvania. In Bucks County, Joe Khan became the county’s first Democratic district attorney, and in the sheriff’s contest Democrats flipped another seat when Danny Ceisler defeated incumbent Fred Harran. Delaware County Democrats maintained unanimous control of the county council.
Analysis & Implications
The results suggest a mixed but notable Democratic performance in a midterm-like cycle held during a Republican presidential term. Judicial retentions and appellate pickups indicate sustained strength for Democratic candidates on issues of criminal justice and judicial philosophy in Pennsylvania. These outcomes may blunt efforts by state-level Republicans to reshape the courts in the near term.
Municipal and county gains in the suburbs reinforce a pattern seen since 2018, where suburban voters are a decisive bloc for local control and prosecutorial policy. Wins by Democrats in traditionally competitive counties — including the first Democratic DA in Bucks County — could affect how criminal justice priorities and resource allocation are determined at the county level.
The New Jersey governor’s result has national resonance: Mikie Sherrill’s victory in a high-profile race could be interpreted by both parties as evidence about messaging that resonates with moderate suburban voters. However, translating a single-state outcome into a nationwide forecast for 2026 requires caution — turnout, candidate quality, and local issues differ markedly between cycles.
Comparison & Data
| Race | Winner | Party |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Governor | Mikie Sherrill | Democrat |
| Philadelphia District Attorney | Larry Krasner | Democrat |
| Philadelphia Controller | Christy Brady | Democrat |
| PA Superior Court | Brandon Neuman | Democrat |
| PA Commonwealth Court | Stella Tsai | Democrat |
| Downingtown Mayor | Erica Deuso | — |
The table above summarizes headline outcomes; detailed vote percentages and county-level breakdowns remain available from county election boards and state election offices. These aggregated results show Democratic wins in several judicial and local executive contests, while a number of down-ballot races produced mixed results depending on local dynamics.
Reactions & Quotes
Campaign teams and local leaders provided immediate responses that framed the night’s outcomes. Winners stressed voter trust and forward-looking agendas; opponents acknowledged the results while signaling continued engagement in local politics.
“I am humbled by the trust voters placed in our campaign and ready to get to work for residents across the state.”
Mikie Sherrill (Governor-elect)
Sherrill’s post-election remarks emphasized a focus on governing priorities and bipartisan cooperation. Her campaign framed the win as validation of moderate policy proposals and outreach into suburban communities that both parties view as pivotal going forward.
“I respect the outcome and will continue advocating for stronger public safety measures in our communities.”
Pat Dugan (Philadelphia DA challenger)
Dugan’s response acknowledged Krasner’s victory while reiterating his campaign’s themes on crime and enforcement — messages he indicated he plans to carry into future civic engagement and community organizing.
“Voters maintained the independence of our courts by retaining these justices.”
State Democratic Party spokesperson
The party spokesperson framed judicial retentions as a check against politicizing the judiciary. Republican organizers, meanwhile, argued the results highlight the need to refine their outreach in suburban and urban counties.
Unconfirmed
- Some precincts were still reporting late-arriving absentee and provisional ballots; exact final margins in a handful of close contests remain subject to official certification.
- The extent to which these results will alter legislative strategy or fundraising patterns for 2026 is still speculative and will depend on subsequent fundraising reports and candidate announcements.
Bottom Line
The 2025 general election in Pennsylvania and neighboring New Jersey produced a series of Democratic wins in judicial, city, and suburban county contests, while also delivering a high-profile gubernatorial result in New Jersey. The outcomes reinforce suburban importance and suggest continued debate over judicial philosophy and local prosecutorial priorities.
Looking ahead, parties on both sides will analyze these results for lessons about turnout, messaging, and coalition-building. While the immediate winners set agendas at the county and state level, the broader national implications for 2026 remain contingent on many variables — turnout patterns, candidate fields, and evolving local issues.