PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Democrats won control of the Pennsylvania Senate, giving them a blue trifecta in Harrisburg for the first time in more than three decades.
The Associated Press called two final races Wednesday morning for Democrats Mark Pinsley and Brian Wrightson, shifting the balance of power in the state Senate to Democrats, 26-24.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, who won a second term on Tuesday by handily defeating state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, declared victory for his party during his acceptance speech, even while the Senate was still knotted up at 24-24.
“Now, with a Democratic trifecta, we’ll be able to get even more stuff done — from raising the minimum wage and lowering costs, to giving survivors their day in court, to building more housing and codifying abortion rights,” Shapiro said in a statement.
In the 16th Senate District, which covers Bucks and Lehigh counties, Democrat Mark Pinsey declared victory over Republican incumbent Jarrett Coleman. In the Poconos’ 40th Senate District, Democrat Brian Wrightsen beat incumbent Republican Rosemary Brown.
Democrats were able to add to their majority in the state House and hold a 108-86 advantage, with a few races still up in the air Wednesday morning.
The last time Democrats had control of the governor’s office, the state Senate and the House was in 1993.
