Democrats swept Pennsylvania's four most closely watched congressional races in the 2026 midterms, defeating Republican incumbents across the eastern half of the state and delivering a major boost to the party's successful effort to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
All four races trended toward Democrats in the final weeks before the election, with political analysts pointing to President Donald Trump’s declining job approval ratings. Final polling showed narrow gaps between candidates in each contest, and three incumbents held fundraising advantages.
The most unexpected result came in Bucks County, where five-term Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, who had built a brand as a moderate Republican who often voted against Trump, lost to Democrat Bob Harvie. Fitzpatrick had won reelection in 2024 by nearly 13 percentage points.
In the 10th District, seven-term incumbent Scott Perry, a close Trump ally, was defeated by Democrat Janelle Stelson in a rematch of the 2024 race, which Perry had won in a contest decided by a 1% margin. Democrats had expressed optimism about unseating Perry.
Two first-term incumbents also lost: Ryan Mackenzie in the 7th District fell to Bob Brooks, a Bethlehem firefighter and union leader who never held elected office, while Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti beat Rob Bresnahan Jr. in the 8th District, a race partly influenced by Bresnahan's controversial stock trades. Brooks campaigned on a platform emphasizing wages, health care and the cost of living.
More than $90 million was spent on the four races through October, according to data compiled by AdImpact, with final totals expected to increase when campaign finance reports are released.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- These four flips were crucial to Democrats winning the House majority, altering the balance of power in Washington.
- The sweep signals broad voter discontent with Trump-aligned Republicans and may indicate national trends ahead of the 2028 election.
- As a key swing state, Pennsylvania's results serve as a bellwether for other contested regions.
Background
The incumbents represented a range of political profiles. Fitzpatrick was an independent-minded moderate who had won his seat by a wide margin in 2024. Perry was a staunch Trump ally who held his seat by 1 point in 2024. Mackenzie and Bresnahan were first-term members who voted heavily with the party but occasionally joined Democrats on measures such as health care subsidies. The races drew more than $90 million in advertising spending by October.
Key Perspectives
Democrats: argued that Fitzpatrick's record did not sufficiently distance him from the Trump administration and expressed confidence about unseating Perry.
Political analysts: pointed to President Trump's declining job approval as the reason the races tilted toward Democrats.
Bob Brooks (D-Pa. 7th): campaigned on a platform focusing on wages, health care and the cost of living.
What to Watch
- Final campaign finance disclosures are expected to show the full extent of spending on the four races.
- The new Democratic representatives will be sworn into office and will help shape the House majority's agenda.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedDemocrats swept Pennsylvania’s four most closely watched congressional races in the 2026 midterms.WHYY: “Democrats swept Pennsylvania’s four most closely watched congressional races in the 2026 midterms”
- SupportedThe sweep gave Democrats a major boost in their successful effort to regain control of the U.S. House.WHYY: “Democrats sweep Pa. congressional seats, helping in Democrats’ successful efforts to win majority in Congress.”
- SupportedRepublican incumbents Fitzpatrick, Perry, Mackenzie and Bresnahan lost races in eastern Pennsylvania.WHYY: “In Bucks County, five-term incumbent Brian Fitzpatrick lost to Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie”
- SupportedAll four races trended toward Democrats in the final weeks, and political analysts pointed to President Donald Trump’s declining job approval ratings.WHYY: “All four races trended toward Democrats over the final few weeks before the election. Political analysts pointed to President Donald Trump’s declining job approval ratings.”
- SupportedFinal polling showed narrow gaps between candidates in each race.WHYY: “final polling showed narrow gaps between candidates in each contest”
- SupportedThree incumbents held fundraising advantages.WHYY: “three incumbents held fundraising advantages”
- SupportedThe most unexpected result was five-term incumbent Brian Fitzpatrick’s loss to Democrat Bob Harvie in Bucks County.WHYY: “Bucks County produced the most unexpected result, as five-term incumbent Brian Fitzpatrick lost to Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie in the 1st Congressional District.”
- SupportedFitzpatrick won reelection in 2024 by nearly 13 percentage points.WHYY: “Fitzpatrick won reelection in 2024 by nearly 13 percentage points”
- SupportedSeven-term incumbent Scott Perry lost to Janelle Stelson in a rematch of their 2024 race.WHYY: “In 2024, he barely fended off local TV reporter Janelle Stelson in a 10th Congressional District race decided by a 1% margin. Stelson returned this year for a rematch where she triumphed.”
- SupportedPerry won their 2024 contest by a 1% margin.WHYY: “In 2024, he barely fended off local TV reporter Janelle Stelson in a 10th Congressional District race decided by a 1% margin.”
- SupportedFirst-term incumbent Ryan Mackenzie lost to Bob Brooks, a Bethlehem firefighter and union leader who had never held elected office; Brooks campaigned on wages, health care and the cost of living.WHYY: “Mackenzie lost to Bob Brooks, a veteran Bethlehem firefighter and union leader who never before held elected office. Brooks ran on a platform emphasizing wages, health care and the cost of living.”
- SupportedScranton Mayor Paige Cognetti beat Rob Bresnahan Jr. in a race partly influenced by his controversial stock trades.WHYY: “Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti beat Bresnahan in the 8th Congressional District race, which partly hinged on controversial stock trades he made while in office.”