2021 Pennsylvania elections

The 2021 Pennsylvania elections were held on November 2, 2021, to fill judicial positions on the Supreme Court, Superior Court, and Commonwealth Court, to allow judicial retention votes, and to fill numerous county, local and municipal offices.

The necessary primary elections were held on May 18. In addition, special elections for legislative vacancies were held at various times in 2021.

22nd senatorial district
On February 14, Democratic state senator John Blake announced he would be resigning from the Senate to take a position with Congressman Matt Cartwright. A special election was announced by Lieutenant Governor (and Senate President) John Fetterman for May 18, in conjunction with the 2021 primary election.

Democrats held a special convention during which State Representative Marty Flynn won the party's nomination. Republicans nominated Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak. The Libertarian Party nominated Nathan Covington, and the Green Party nominated Marlene Sebastianelli. Flynn defeated the field the special election.

48th senatorial district
Following the death of State Senator Dave Arnold, a special election was announced by Lieutenant Governor (and Senate President) John Fetterman to coincide with the 2021 primaries on May 18.

The Libertarian Party nominated York County business owner and farmer Timothy McMaster. Former state representative Edward H. Krebs announced he would launch an independent bid for this seat. Democrats nominated Dr. Calvin Clements, a retired veterinarian. Republicans nominated Lebanon County businessman Christopher Gebhard.

59th legislative district
Following the death of Republican state representative Mike Reese, House Speaker Bryan Cutler announced that a special election for the 59th legislative district would take place on May 18 (in conjunction with the 2021 primary).

Democrats nominated Ligonier Borough Councilwoman Mariah Fisher. Republicans held a special convention and nominated Leslie Rossi, a Latrobe native and creator of the "Trump House". The Libertarian Party nominated Robb Luther.

Rossi defeated Fisher and Luther in the special election to become the district's first female representative.

60th legislative district
On March 16, State Representative Jeff Pyle announced his retirement due to health issues. House Speaker Bryan Cutler called for a special election for the 60th legislative district on May 18, in conjunction with the 2021 primary.

Republicans nominated Pyle's chief of staff Abby Major. Libertarians nominated Waynesburg University senior Drew Hreha. Democrats nominated Dr. Frank Prazenica Jr., a retired colonel in the United States Army Reserve.

113th legislative district
As a result of his State Senate special election victory, Marty Flynn resigned from his State House seat on June 9. House Speaker Bryan Cutler called for a special election for the 113th legislative district on November 2, in conjunction with the 2021 general election.

Democrats nominated Flynn's chief of staff Thom Welby. Republicans nominated Dominick Manetti, a former deputy sheriff of Lackawanna County.

164th legislative district
On July 22, State Representative Margo L. Davidson resigned her seat after being charged with stealing from the Commonwealth by filing fraudulent overnight per diem requests and various other expenses through the State House Comptroller's Office as well as hindering a state prosecution. House Speaker Bryan Cutler called for a special election for the 164th legislative district on November 2, in conjunction with the 2021 general election.

Democrats nominated Upper Darby School District board member Gina Curry. Republicans nominated Brian Sharif Taylor, a United States Army veteran. Libertarians nominated community activist Aniket Josan.

Justice of the Supreme Court
A seat was up for election due to the impending mandatory retirement of Chief Justice Thomas G. Saylor on December 31, 2021.

Candidates

 * Maria McLaughlin, Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Withdrawn

 * Carolyn Nichols, Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Candidates

 * P. Kevin Brobson, President Judge of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
 * Patricia McCullough, Judge of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
 * Paula A. Patrick, Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas

Judge of the Superior Court
One vacancy was created when President Judge Emeritus Susan P. Gantman took senior status on April 1, 2020.

Candidates

 * Jill Beck, Allegheny County attorney
 * Timika Lane, Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
 * Bryan Neft, Allegheny County attorney

Candidates

 * Megan Sullivan, deputy Attorney General, former Chester County assistant district attorney (2002–2012)

Judge of the Commonwealth Court
There were two seats up for election on the Commonwealth Court. Judge Mary Hannah Leavitt, a Republican, declined to run for retention for an additional 10-year term. Had Judge Leavitt won retention, she would have only been eligible to serve for one year before her mandatory retirement by December 31, 2022. A second seat was up for election due to the retirement of Judge Robin Simpson, a Republican, on December 31, 2019. Governor Tom Wolf appointed Judge Drew Crompton to fill the vacancy, who opted to run for reelection.

Candidates

 * Lori Dumas, Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
 * Amanda Green-Hawkins, labor lawyer, former Allegheny County councilwoman (2008–2015)
 * David Spurgeon, Judge of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
 * Sierra Street, Judge of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas

Candidates

 * Drew Crompton, incumbent Judge of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
 * Stacy Marie Wallace, private practice attorney, president of the McKean County Bar Association

General election
A recount was triggered because Dumas and Crompton finished within half a percentage point of each other in the initial tally. On November 23, counties completed the recount, and Crompton conceded to Dumas. The following day, statewide recount results were published, which affirmed Dumas's lead.

Superior Court
Judges John T. Bender and Mary Jane Bowes were up for retention in 2021.

Commonwealth Court
Judges Anne Covey and Renee Cohn Jubelirer were up for retention in 2021.

Ballot questions
Pennsylvania voters considered three constitutional amendments and one statewide referendum in the May 18 primary.

Restricting emergency disaster declarations and powers
In 2020, Governor Tom Wolf declared a disaster emergency for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Several Republicans, led by state representative Russ Diamond, opposed these public-health measures and introduced two amendments (2021-01 and 2021–02) to the Pennsylvania Constitution to restrict the emergency powers of the governor. Resolutions 2021-01 and 2021-02 were placed on the May primary ballot.

Racial equality
A third constitutional amendment (2021-03) was proposed to create a prohibition against denying an individual's rights because of race or ethnicity. Resolution 2021-03 was included on the May primary ballot.

Statewide referendum
Act 91 of 2020 placed before the electorate a question about allowing municipal fire companies, ambulance services, and rescue squads to use loans which are usually only allowed for volunteer companies. The Act 91 referendum was placed on the May primary ballot.