Key Takeaways:
- Democrat Dan Goughnour wins a special election in Pennsylvania, flipping a state House seat.
- This victory gives Democrats a narrow 102-101 majority in the Pennsylvania House.
- Pennsylvania remains a battleground state after the 2024 election, where Donald Trump won narrowly.
- Democrats are studying Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet’s 2024 victory in Michigan for clues on how to win in swing districts.
- Rivet’s focus on practical issues like tax cuts helped her succeed in a competitive district.
A Narrow Win in Pennsylvania
On Tuesday, March 25, Democrats celebrated a hard-fought victory in Pennsylvania. Dan Goughnour, a Democrat, defeated Republican Chuck Davis in a special election for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. This win flipped a Republican-held seat and gave Democrats a slim 102-101 majority in the chamber.
While the result wasn’t shocking—Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris won nearly 58% of the vote in that district in 2024—it was still a big deal. Pennsylvania is a key swing state, and Democrats are leaving nothing to chance after the 2024 election. That year, Donald Trump narrowly won the state, and Democratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr. lost his seat after three terms.
Why Pennsylvania Matters
Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin are seen as must-win states for Democrats in the Rust Belt. These states are crucial for winning the presidency and controlling Congress. After the setbacks of 2024, Democrats are closely watching races like this one to see if they can build momentum for future elections.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin kept a close eye on this race. He knows how important it is to regain and hold power in states like Pennsylvania. The 2024 election showed that even in traditionally Democratic areas, nothing can be taken for granted.
Learning from Michigan
As Democrats celebrate their Pennsylvania victory, they’re also looking to Michigan for inspiration. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, a Democrat from Michigan, won her seat in 2024 by nearly 7% in a district that leans Republican. Her success has caught the attention of Democratic strategists across the country.
In a recent column, Washington Post writer Karen Tumulty highlighted Rivet as a model for Democrats. Rivet’s district, located about 100 miles north of Detroit, was once reliably Democratic but has trended more Republican in recent years. Donald Trump even performed slightly better there than he did statewide in Michigan.
Kristen McDonald Rivet’s Winning Strategy
So, how did Rivet pull off her victory? She focused on “real things” that matter to everyday people. One of her key issues? Tax cuts—a topic Democrats don’t usually emphasize.
In the Michigan State Senate, Rivet championed a plan that quintupled the state’s match of the federal earned income tax credit. This added an average of $603 to the pockets of low- and moderate-income families. During her campaign, she even starred in a humorous ad where she drove a car and joked, “You know, I could talk about cutting taxes all day.”
Her approach worked. Rivet connected with voters by talking about issues that directly impacted their lives. She proved that Democrats can win in competitive districts by focusing on practical solutions rather than getting bogged down in partisan fights.
What’s Next for Democrats?
As Democrats look to 2026 and beyond, they’re taking notes from Rivet’s playbook. Her victory shows that the party can succeed in swing districts by addressing the concerns of working-class voters.
Pennsylvania’s latest election and Rivet’s success in Michigan are reminders that Democrats need to stay focused on the issues that matter most to voters. Whether it’s tax cuts, job creation, or supporting families, the party’s path to victory lies in delivering real results for everyday Americans.
By studying these wins and learning from candidates like Kristen McDonald Rivet, Democrats hope to build on their momentum and reclaim power in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The road ahead won’t be easy, but with the right strategy, they’re confident they can succeed.