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Pennsylvania House Democrats will retain their one-seat majority in the state House, after spending more than $1 million to defend their control of the chamber.

The Associated Press declared Democrat Heather Boyd the winner of the special election to replace former State Rep. Mike Zabel. She defeated Republican Katie Ford in the 163rd House District. Libertarian Alfe Goodwin also ran for the seat.

Democrats outspent Republicans 10-to-1 to preserve their majority, which they achieved in February for the first time in 12 years.

Boyd was confident she would win and gave a victory speech at a packed bar in Drexel Hill shortly before 10 p.m. She talked about the work Democrats have done over the last few years to flip each of the state seats.

Im ready to fight to make sure you have a voice, she said.

Something very near and very dear to my heart is to all the young girls and women who came out, even some of them for the first time, to protect a womans right to choose in Pennsylvania, Boyd said. I will always stand up for you and Pennsylvania. Her speech closed out with attendees chanting Heather.

By 10:30 p.m., Ford said in a statement: At the end of the day, I ran a campaign with honesty and integrity and that is more important than winning.

House Democrats promised to continue the work they have started since taking the majority in February, such as advancing a number of long-sought legislative priorities they previously couldnt get a vote for in committee, including gun reforms and protections from discrimination for LGBTQ residents.

Whoever controls the House sets the agenda on state policies for elections, school funding, taxes, abortion access, gun reform, and more.

Just weeks after Democrats assumed control of the chamber, the 163rd House District seat opened up when Zabel, a Democrat, resigned over allegations of sexual harassment.

Republicans tried to emphasize the sexual harassment allegations, but did not invest big money in trying to flip the Democrat-leaning district.

Throughout the two-month campaign, Ford stressed Zabels misconduct and Boyds knowledge of it along with her commitment to her community, where shes lived her whole life.

Boyd focused her campaign on maintaining the Democrats House majority and thus, reproductive rights. She specifically is concerned with a constitutional amendment passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly last year in the wake of Roe v. Wades reversal that would not be eligible for a gubernatorial veto.

Voters in Montour County and parts of Northumberland County also went to the polls for a special election, but that vacant House seat remained in Republican hands. Michael Stender is projected to win the 108th District race based on unofficial results, according to the Associated Press.

Boyd, 46, chairs the Upper Darby Democratic Committee and left her job as a senior adviser to U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D., Delaware) in March to run. Shes been involved in Democratic politics in the Philadelphia suburb for years and previously served on the local school board.

Ford, 43, is an early intervention specialist, deeply involved in the local Home and School associations. Shes a lifelong Upper Darby resident and military veteran who describes herself as a political newcomer, spending what little free time she has rescuing dogs.

Democrats big spending seemed to pay off: The constant ads, texts, and calls worked to get Melanie Maron out to vote for Boyd at her polling place, St. Johns Indian Orthodox Church. She liked Boyds promise to protect abortion access in the state, and voted down-ticket for Democrats.

Heather Boyd has been shoved down my throat so many times, Maron said. By now I get the picture.

However, Boyds ads showing Ford as opposing reproductive rights convinced John Carullo to vote for Ford. (Ford told The Inquirer she would not support a constitutional amendment that Republicans in the state General Assembly passed last year to declare Pennsylvanians have no right to an abortion in the state.)

All Ive heard is that [Ford] is pro-life, and I havent heard anything else, Carullo said. He hoped Republicans would regain control of the state House.

Martha McHale, an Upper Darby resident, said she voted for Boyd because shes a Democrat who will support abortion access in the state.

Im not interested in going back 50 years, McHale added.

Zabel first flipped the seat in 2018 from longtime Republican control, and its become bluer ever since: Under new district maps approved last year, 51% of registered voters in the district are Democrats, 37% are Republicans, and 12% are not affiliated.

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Democrat Heather Boyd wins Delaware County special election in ... - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Onondaga County Democratic Legislator Bill Kinne launched his campaign Wednesday for Onondaga County Executive.

Kinne is a long-time county legislator. First elected in 1991, he served until 2011. He was then a legislative aide from 2012 to 2018, and was elected again to the county legislature in 2019.

No Democrat has ever been elected Onondaga County Executive. As for what sets Kinne apart from previous Democrats who've run for the office?

"I've got a lot of experience," Kinne said. "I've been involved, I've been around, I know a lot of the issues. I believe that I can form a good team. I will hire people, put people around me that will tell me 'no.' I don't have all the answers, but I will put together a good team and I think we'll do what's right for the people. I'm not putting myself or big developers that give me money first. It's always going to be the citizens."

Kinne criticized several of County Executive Ryan McMahon's decisions like using ARPA funds to create a Micron video, originally posted to the county's website, which several county Democrats say was a campaign ad. McMahon has defended the video. The video no longer appears on the county's website.

Kinne also criticized the county spending $85 million on a new aquarium.

"I'm going to listen to people," Kinne said. "If I can't make the case [McMahon] couldn't make the case for the aquarium, but he still went ahead with it. If I can't make the case for something, then shame on me. I've got to present the facts. I hope I'll do that. I think I can do it. But, I really believe that you have to listen to the voters."

Against an incumbent, Kinne acknowledges he faces a difficult election, but says he believes in the voters of Onondaga County to pick the "clear choice."

"I have faith in all the people in this county and what we can be if we invest in them the people who make this community a community," Kinne said. "By working together, we can win this election. The 3,000 working men and women of Onondaga County deserve a better leader and almost half a million residents in this county deserve a better government."

The general election is November 7.

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Democrat Bill Kinne launches bid for Onondaga County Executive - WRVO Public Media

Montgomery County at-large councilman Will Jawando, who's announced his candidacy for Sen. Ben Cardin's soon to be vacant seat, plans to pitch his "bold, progressive vision" to voters.

Conventional wisdom hasnt yet been set in stone, but it is hardening when it comes to the race for the U.S. Senate seat that Marylands Ben Cardin is stepping down from next year.

Those watching the Democratic primary see U.S. Rep. David Trone has the most money to spend. Since announcing last week, Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks has come out of the gate strong, racking up endorsements around the state, including from well-known leaders in other counties.

In the weeks to come, U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, who gained major name recognition for House impeachment hearings during the Trump Administration, is also set to decide if hell run as well. He also might remain in the House of Representatives where hes already gained a leadership role.

Though hes not favored to win, Montgomery County at-large councilman Will Jawando got more votes, by sheer numbers, than Alsobrooks, Trone and Raskin in their respective November 2022 elections.

I actually represent over a million people. We have 1.1 million in the county, Jawando said. Been twice elected as one of the top vote-getters, and so I actually represent more people than anyone in the race, funny enough.

Jawando is a native of Silver Spring now living in Sandy Spring and was a civil rights attorney, congressional staffer, and White House aide prior to getting elected to the county council. He argues that this isnt a race that can be bought, and downplayed the endorsements that Alsobrooks has received so far.

Its going to be about people voting, he said, as he pushed what is an unabashedly progressive platform in the race for Senate.

People want bold, progressive vision, Jawando said. They dont just want someone who is going to go there and do the status quo. Its not working.

He cited civil rights, reproductive freedom and gun violence as stances hes focused on, and he argues the U.S. Senate is a body that needs to be pushed to do more to help people.

They want the federal role to be more robust in those areas, and it just hasnt been, he argued.

And specifically on gun violence, Jawando said, People want to see action on that at the federal level.

At the same time, he also noted that in his past career on Capitol Hill, he had worked with Republican staffers working for members who didnt share his vision. Despite differences, he said he could still help get things accomplished, and admitted that sometimes progress needs to come incrementally, not all at once.

As he recited aspects of his stump speech, Jawando repeatedly referenced what he called the big lie, which in recent years has been a term that Democrats have used to refer to the idea that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump. But for Jawando, it has a different meaning.

The big lie is not about Donald Trump and his allusions that he won the election. Obviously he didnt, Jawando said. Its about what I think is the core problem in America and Maryland right now. That if my neighbor gets something or does well or we help them then my life has to be diminished and thats a lie. Its never been true. Its something thats been told throughout our history, and I think its holding us back.

In terms of campaign infrastructure, Jawandos campaign may not be as built out as other campaigns, but with nearly 365 days before the senate primary, he said most Marylanders arent paying attention to the race anyway.

When they are focused, we will have built an organization, built the resources and the campaign to communicate what I think will be the boldest, clearest vision about how to move Maryland forward and solve the problems people are facing in a way that achieves shared prosperity.

Since its still early, theres one name still hanging over this race: Raskin. His TV appearances and job as one of the chief antagonists to Republicans in the nations capital have made him popular among Democrats paying attention to the race. Jawando happens to live in Raskins district. There are already whispers that if Raskin jumps into the race, Jawando might drop out of the Senate race and run for Raskins House seat.

We have three people in the race right now. Thats the race Im focused on. One thing I learned a long time ago in politics is you have to adjust when things happen and take things as they come, Jawando said. So much is going to happen in this campaign things you didnt even expect.

As he went on, Jawando noted he was an early endorser of Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, speaking out at a time when Moore was way down in the polls.

There were a lot more well known people at the time. Im actually in a better position than the governor was, he said. I think we have a strong path to victory and as the campaign goes on time will show that.

In this media market, when I do something here, Im on TV in Bowie, too, he continued, arguing he has some name recognition in places like Prince Georges County even if hes not elected there.

He finished his response by saying, Congressman Raskin is my congressman, a great friend hes got to make his own decision. But Im focused on this race.

When it was pointed out that Jawando never said no he wouldnt run for a House seat instead, he laughed and said, You also didnt get a yes.

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In the 2024 Md. Senate race, the Democrat with the most votes last ... - WTOP

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) on Tuesday issued some embarrassing reminders to Republicans during their House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on crime in Washington.

Im so excited that my colleagues across the aisle care about sexual abuse considering that the front-runner right now for the presidency has just been found liable of sexual abuse, said Crockett, in an apparent response to election denier Rep. Anna Paulina Lunas (R-Fla.) comments about rising cases.

A Manhattan jury earlier this month found former President Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in advice columnist E. Jean Carrolls civil lawsuit against him. Carroll alleged Trump in the 1990s raped her in a department store dressing room.

So, Im excited because this may mean that, finally, some folk will back off from supporting him because we dont support sexual abusers in this chamber, Crockett added. So, Im happy about this.

Crockett also appeared to swipe at Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) and Republicans continued defense of the serial liar congressman, who earlier this month was charged on 13 federal counts including allegations he pocketed campaign donations and unlawfully received unemployment benefits. Santos has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

My Republican colleagues want to talk about keeping the streets of D.C. crime-free but they cant even keep the halls of Congress crime-free, said Crockett, who has co-sponsored a bill to expel Santos from Congress.

My freshman colleague has just been indicted on 13 felony counts. But have they exhibited any courage to say, You know what, we will not allow this in our body. We will disallow this in our body. We will make sure that we expel this individual? she asked.

They have not, Crockett answered her own question. So, what I dont want to hear is that they care about crime because if they did they would start by cleaning up our own house and mind our own business instead of coming after D.C.

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Freshman Democrat Hits Republicans With 2 Painful Truths In House Hearing On Crime - Yahoo News

Darrell Ehrlick| The Daily Montanan

Kevin Hamm told a crowd gathered in the backyard of a downtown Billings house that he can help unify the state behind one shared value that transcends both political parties a belief in being stubbornly independent.

As he announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, he said the spirit that has made Montana so unique a state is characterized by its ability to support people over partisan politics. He told the group gathered on Tuesday evening that he was that type of person who respects and understands Montanas purple heritage, a mix of both major political parties.

Hamm, who ran in 2022 for a seat on the states Public Service Commission, announced his candidacy for Montanas central and eastern Congressional district as a Democrat. Montanas current Congressman representing the district, which includes Billings, Helena and Great Falls, is held by Rep. Matt Rosendale, a Republican in his second term.

With the 2024 Election still 18 months away, Hamm told the Daily Montanan the timing gives him ample opportunity to speak with Montanans who may believe that the race is impossible for a Democrat.

I am not a politician, and I havent inherited my wealth, he told a gathering of about 50 people on Tuesday night. I took the drink orders of the pompous people whose fathers were paying for their drinks, while I was worrying about paying my own bills. I knew the good people in the kitchen. I was ridiculed, but I was able to live here authentically anyway. I built communities in the hallways, and I built communities in schools. I have a life of solidarity with those who are work for a living.

Hamm told supporters that he may not always agree with them, but he was willing to talk and return phone calls. He said that hes heard from many Montanans who are concerned that the political reputation of the state, which includes a tolerance and respect for diversity and a range of opinions, is under siege.

Hamms background is in telecommunications. He is the chief executive of Auxilyum and Treasure State Internet and Telegraph.

He said that his campaign is rooted in the belief that Montanans still support labor, still value a work ethic, are concerned about the climate, and want personal freedom.

I believe those are things that are more important than any political party, he said.

He also told the group that he planned on being a representative for a longtime, instead of using the office as a stepping stone to the next political office.

You have to have a representative with skin in the game and something to lose, he said.

He said current discussions at the federal level have been frustrating and he believes as a business owner in the technology industry, he understands the challenges both as an employer and a citizen.

I hear Congress talking about why it cant raise the minimum wage. That itd be too expensive to businesses. But businesses cant find employees and they cant find housing, Hamm said. Its too expensive not to do it.

He said some of those positions wont make him popular, but he said, I have thick skin.

He said that politicians in Congress have to stop playing with Social Security as a bargaining chip, and that the effects of weakening labor laws and federal oversight have led to catastrophes like the train derailment recently in Ohio.

He said that Montana and the nation have wrestled with a stubborn housing problem, but he said its not necessarily a case of not having enough houses, rather its an economic problem: The houses are no longer affordable.

Hamm said he was intentionally starting early and kicking off his candidacy in Billings, Montanas largest city, which is often considered to tilt conservative. He pointed out that even in the more conservative parts of the state, residents have historically been willing to split their ticket. He said hes beginning early to let independent voters know they have a choice, even though most political analysts see the seat as safely Republican.

Just watch me, Hamm said.

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Democrat Kevin Hamm announces bid to rep Montana in U.S. ... - Great Falls Tribune