National Dems spending big on Pennsylvania Supreme Court races

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(The Center Square) - While much of the country is gearing up for consequential midterm elections in 2026, Pennsylvania’s 2025 judicial races have caught the attention of national donors.

The Democratic National Committee announced Thursday that it would be making a “six-figure investment” in campaigns to retain three of the state’s sitting Supreme Court Justices.

“MAGA billionaires across the country are trying to buy our courts, including in Pennsylvania. The DNC won’t stand idly by,” wrote DNC Chair Ken Martin in a statement about the spending.

The committee contends that Democrats must retain their seats in order to protect abortion access, voting rights, and to prevent gerrymandering that would alter congressional districts, a practice making headlines in Texas and California.

Democrats specifically say they are funding the races of Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht.

“The stakes couldn't be higher in these judicial retention races, especially in the run-up to critical races across the Commonwealth in 2026 and winning back the White House in 2028,” wrote Martin.

A critical swing state, the DNC has been working diligently to organize in Pennsylvania. Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta of Philadelphia is currently serving as a vice chair for the committee and has spent time traveling the country in support of the party.

Kenyatta, alongside David Hogg, was the center of controversy when the committee called for a recasting of votes for their positions. Hogg chose not to re-run.

The DNC is joined by the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, the American Civil Liberties Union in major spending to back the judicial candidates.