PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — On Nov. 8, Pennsylvania voters will have a say in the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives, as all 17 congressional districts across the state are on the ballot.
The Keystone State's current congressional delegation is evenly split between nine Republicans and nine Democrats. However, based on the U.S. Census and the resultant redrawing of district maps, Pennsylvania will lose one seat.
In Philadelphia and the surrounding region, Bucks County's first congressional district is once again among the closer contests, with incumbent Republican Brian Fitzpatrick facing a challenge from Democrat Ashley Ehasz.
Ehasz is a West Point graduate and a combat helicopter pilot, and she has time as a company commander.
"It was in those years as a commander where I learned how to make a decision in a crisis," Ehasz said. "And I firmly believe we are finding ourselves in that moment of crisis in our country and our democracy and of ourselves."
Fitzpatrick's campaign did not respond to a request for an interview. The former FBI agent and federal prosecutor is seeking his fourth term in Congress. He was first elected in 2016. He points to his role as vice chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus as evidence of his willingness to work toward consensus and common ground.
In Chester County's sixth district, incumbent Democrat Chrissy Houlahan is favored slightly, facing a challenge from Republican challenger businessman Guy Ciarrochi. By Real Clear Politics and Cook Political Report ratings, the district leans Democrat.
Looking further outstate, Muhlenberg College political science professor and pollster Chris Borick says he is most interested to see what happens in the seventh, eighth and 17th districts — the Lehigh Valley, the Scranton area and Beaver/Allegheny counties, respectively.
"They're the type of districts that, in a wave election, if you have a midterm that really benefits one party — and historically that's the out party, the Republicans this year — that you can see incumbents lose or seats flip," Borick said.
In the seventh, the Lehigh Valley, Democrat Susan Wild is trying to fend off another challenge from Republican Lisa Scheller in a rematch of the 2020 race, in which Wild won by about four points. But the district has been redrawn, making it likely more favorable to Scheller.
In the eighth congressional district, encompassing Wayne, Pike and Lackawanna counties, incumbent Democrat Matt Cartwright is challenged by Republican Jim Bognet.
The 17th is up for grabs, as Democrat Conor Lamb gave it up when he ran against Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and others in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary. Republican Jeremy Shaffner is running against Democrat Chris Deluzio there.
Borick says Pennsylvania is key as Republicans look to take control of the House.
"I think Pennsylvania, depending on how the overall night goes for Republicans, could be very impactful on their ability to pick up the seats that they need to take the House," he said.
Political analysts expect Republicans will pick at least the six seats needed to retake the majority.
