Josh Shapiro endorses four PA Senate candidates with hopes of flipping the chamber

Gov. Josh Shapiro announced a series of endorsements on Thursday that could help Pennsylvania Democrats gain control of the state senate. 

Gov. Josh Shapiro endorsed four Democrats running for the Pennsylvania Senate on Thursday with the hopes of flipping the chamber in the upcoming election. 

Republicans currently hold a 28 to 22 majority in the upper chamber, but Democrats aim to gain control by protecting one open seat and flipping three other seats.

“Pennsylvanians deserve leaders focused on common sense solutions and ready to get stuff done — like raising the minimum wage, protecting a woman’s right to choose, and standing up for workers,” Shapiro said in a statement.

“I’m proud to endorse Patty Kim, Nicole Ruscitto, Nick Pisciottano, and Jim Wertz because they will help me deliver on the priorities that Pennsylvanians care about – good schools for our kids, safer communities, economic opportunity in every community, and real freedom – all across the Commonwealth.

Democrats are hoping to elect State Rep. Nick Pisciottano (D-Allegheny) to hold onto a seat that is being vacated by State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny), who is retiring at the end of the current session. 

Additionally, they are looking to pick up three seats in Allegheny, Dauphin and Erie counties, which would tie the chamber at 25 seats for both parties. Democrats would hold the tie-breaking vote due to Lt. Gov. Austin Davis presiding over the chamber.

State Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) was the first Asian-American elected to the Pennsylvania House and has been a staunch advocate for raising the minimum wage. Kim is expected to flip a seat held by outgoing Republican incumbent State Sen. John DiSanto (R-Dauphin). 

Nicole Ruscitto, a 27-year public school teacher, and Jim Werz, a professor at PennWest Edinboro and chair of the Erie County Democrats, are challenging incumbent State Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny) and Dan Laughlin (R-Erie). 

“The Senate Democratic Caucus is ready to take the majority and move on the progress that Pennsylvania is demanding,” Senate Democratic Campaign Committee Chair Vincent Hughes said in a statement. 

“We know the Governor is ready to work with a Democratic majority, we’ve seen what the House has done with a Democratic majority. This is the year we deliver the trifecta and pass a minimum wage increase, move on gun violence prevention measures, enshrine reproductive rights, protect working families and get them the most basic benefits they deserve – like paid sick leave. Each of those bills need just one thing to become law – a Democratic Senate.”