-(4)-1731951738-q80.webp){kind=small}
In a crucial special election that could have had wider ramifications for Pennsylvania’s political landscape, Democrat Dan Goughnour has secured the open state House seat in District 35, which had been left vacant by the untimely death of Rep. Matt Gergely earlier this year. Goughnour’s victory, projected by Decision Desk HQ, has not only returned the district to its Democratic roots but has also restored the narrow majority that the party holds in the state House.
For many political observers, Goughnour’s win was expected. The district, which leans Democratic, has been a stronghold for the party for some time. In the November elections, District 35 overwhelmingly supported then-Vice President Kamala Harris with approximately 58 percent of the vote, a clear indicator of the district’s blue-leaning tendencies.
Given this, it was no surprise that Goughnour, a member of the McKeesport School Board and a police officer, triumphed over his Republican opponent, Chuck Davis, who currently serves as the president of the White Oak Borough Council.
Goughnour’s victory holds significant importance for the Democratic Party. In January, the death of Rep. Gergely, who had only been elected to the state House in a special election in 2023 to succeed now-Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, left the House with an even split between Democrats and Republicans. The sudden vacancy created a tenuous balance of power, with the Republicans poised to take control of the chamber.
However, with Goughnour’s win, the Democrats regain their slight majority, bringing the state House back to its pre-Gergely death configuration.
This win is a critical one for the Democratic Party, which secured its slim majority in the state House for the first time in over a decade following the 2022 elections. Despite the narrow victory, the party’s control of the state House has proven vital for advancing its legislative priorities.
However, since the 2022 elections, the Democrats have had to win several special elections to maintain this fragile majority.
The importance of this seat was not lost on the Democratic National Committee, which expressed its strong interest in securing the District 35 seat. In February, newly elected DNC Chair Ken Martin launched a national tour in McKeesport, where he campaigned alongside Goughnour to rally support for his candidacy.
The DNC’s involvement in the race highlights the party’s commitment to defending and expanding its power at the state level, a crucial component of its broader strategy to combat the influence of President Donald Trump and his Republican allies.
Martin, in a statement following Goughnour’s win, praised the newly elected representative for his commitment to fighting for working families. He also highlighted how Goughnour’s victory allows Pennsylvania Democrats to better counteract the efforts of Republican lawmakers, who have been pushing for constitutional amendments to limit the power of Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro.
Martin framed Goughnour’s win as part of a broader effort to "build the Democratic Party back" and as a rebuke to Trump’s so-called “MAGA agenda.”
“Building the Democratic Party back begins in the states,” Martin said. “Down-ballot wins like Rep.-elect Goughnour’s offer a powerful rebuke of Trump and Elon Musk’s MAGA agenda.”
The state House district, which lies in Allegheny County in western Pennsylvania, just southeast of Pittsburgh, is historically one of the more Democratic-leaning areas in the state. With a solid history of supporting Democratic candidates, District 35 remains an important battleground for both parties, especially as national political forces continue to influence local races.
As for Goughnour, his background as both a school board member and a police officer makes him a familiar figure to many voters in McKeesport and the surrounding areas. His campaign focused on issues that matter to local families, particularly the need for affordable education and safe communities.
While his victory over Chuck Davis was expected given the district’s makeup, Goughnour’s candidacy had significant backing from local leaders and national Democrats, who recognized the broader implications of the race.
Throughout the campaign, Goughnour emphasized his ability to represent the needs of everyday Pennsylvanians, including his commitment to improving local schools, strengthening law enforcement, and addressing economic challenges facing working-class families. His platform resonated with many in District 35, where voters are focused on pragmatic solutions to everyday problems rather than partisan bickering.
This message helped Goughnour to stand out, even as the larger political currents around him—particularly the national narrative surrounding President Trump’s policies—continued to swirl.
Chuck Davis, the Republican challenger, was a known quantity in the district, serving as the president of the White Oak Borough Council. However, his campaign was overshadowed by the state’s overall political leanings, which heavily favored the Democratic candidate.
Despite his efforts to bring a more conservative voice to the district, Davis was unable to overcome the overwhelming Democratic advantage in District 35, where Goughnour’s message resonated more strongly with voters.
The significance of Goughnour’s win extends beyond just the local race. It also represents a victory for the Democrats at a time when the party has faced several challenges in maintaining its grip on power.
As the 2022 midterm elections showed, the Democratic Party is working to regain ground in states like Pennsylvania, where Republicans have made significant inroads in recent years. This special election victory helps to solidify the Democrats’ position in the state House, even as national political dynamics remain uncertain.
For Republicans, the loss is another setback in their broader efforts to expand control of state legislatures across the country. While Republicans have made significant gains in many statehouses in recent years, Pennsylvania remains a key battleground state, and the Democrats’ ability to hold onto the state House is crucial for shaping future legislative agendas in the state.
With Goughnour now poised to take office, the next steps for Pennsylvania’s state House will be critical. The Democrats, with their narrow majority now restored, must navigate the upcoming legislative sessions carefully, balancing their political agenda with the need to cooperate with Republicans on critical issues.
The state House will play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s budget, education policy, and infrastructure initiatives, and Goughnour’s contributions will be closely watched as he begins his tenure.
For now, the focus will remain on Pennsylvania’s state House and the shifting political landscape in the state. As national politics continue to influence local races, Goughnour’s victory offers a glimpse into the state of play in one of the most politically competitive regions in the country.
With his victory, Pennsylvania Democrats have secured a slight but significant edge in the state legislature, and the upcoming sessions will provide a critical test of their ability to govern effectively in a divided political climate.
