Democrats won both special elections last Tuesday, flipping a Republican-held state Senate seat in Lancaster County and maintaining control of the lower chamber with a victory in Allegheny County. The party now holds a 102-101 majority in the state House, while Republicans retain a 27-23 edge in the Senate.

The surprise of the night came in Senate District 36, where Democrat James Malone defeated Republican Josh Parsons by 482 votes despite a strong GOP voter registration advantage. Higher turnout in blue-leaning suburban precincts and a decisive mail ballot edge drove the upset. The seat, vacated by Republican Ryan Aument earlier this year, will be up again in 2026.

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