House Democrats are making an aggressive play in their push for the majority, targeting key Pennsylvania seats with early investments and recruiting former members to help.
Democrats are hoping to flip four seats in the Keystone State now held by GOP Reps. Rob Bresnahan, Ryan Mackenzie, Scott Perry and Brian Fitzpatrick.
Democrats are only three seats away from the House majority and headed into a midterm cycle that historically favors the minority party. Winning big in Pennsylvania could put them back in power.
The playbook: Former Democratic Reps. Matt Cartwright and Susan Wild are working behind the scenes to help win their old districts, according to several members of the state’s delegation.
Wild doesn’t plan to run again. Instead, she’s pitching in with candidate recruitment.
But Cartwright is eyeing his old 8th District seat, making calls to Democrats in the delegation to express his interest. Cartwright also spoke at House Democrats’ annual retreat back in March.
It’s not a done deal that the six-term Democrat will run again. Bresnahan beat Cartwright by roughly 6,000 votes last November.
In an interview, Cartwright said he has “no news” right now. But Democrats in the delegation said Cartwright is targeting an early May announcement if he runs.
Meanwhile, Wild has been urging members to get behind former Sen. Bob Casey’s (D-Pa.) staffer Carol Obando-Derstine. Obando-Derstine is expected to launch her campaign today for the 7th District with Wild’s endorsement. Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure is also running for the seat.
Overcoming long odds: Democrats are also gunning for a rematch between Janelle Stelson and Perry, a conservative hardliner. Stelson is planning a summer campaign launch, according to multiple sources.
Perry won by fewer than two points last cycle in his toughest race yet. Stelson, a former local news anchor, has a strong name ID and fundraising, as well as experience from her last run. She has frequently gone after Perry on social media.
Perry’s alignment with President Donald Trump could turn off independent and moderate voters if Trump’s approval rating continues to sink.
Perry, though, brushed off those concerns Wednesday. “As usual, I’m focused on my mission here,” Perry said. “I’m doing my job.”
Despite winning by more than 12 points last cycle, Democratic operatives are also planning to invest more in Fitzpatrick’s 1st District seat in 2026. Pennsylvania Democrats view Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie as a more formidable challenger compared to past Democratic candidates.
On the airwaves: House Majority PAC is already pouring money into Pennsylvania battlegrounds.
The Democratic leadership-aligned super PAC went up with ads this month tying Bresnahan, Perry and Fitzpatrick to Trump’s tariffs. The ad also ran during a CNN town hall featuring Mackenzie.
Another ad targeting Mackenzie ran in March linking him to Elon Musk and accusing the lawmaker of supporting tax cuts for billionaires. An additional ad buy accuses Mackenzie, Bresnahan and Perry of trying to slash Medicaid.
