Trending
Pennsylvanians showed up at the polls Tuesday, as about 4.9 million people cast their ballots for federal and state leaders.
Like the rest of the country, Pennsylvania -- ever the swing state -- swung hard. Again. After going red in 2016, blue in 2020 and back to red in 2024, the midterms showed the Keystone State back in the blue in many areas.
That swing did something that hasn't happened in decades. It not only widened the margin of Democratic control in the House -- something that has been hair thin and sometimes downright theoretical -- but it also delivered the Senate. That hasn't happened since 1993.
That might seem inconsequential when Kansas hasn't seen a Democrat in the Senate since the Great Depression. But it is something that shows pattern, and patterns can chart demand and direction.
This means a trifecta for Pennsylvania -- one party holding control of the governor's office, the Senate and the House. That's also something that hasn't happened since 1993 -- and even then it was for just one short year.
Pennsylvania is in its 12th year of Democratic governors and just committed to four more by reelecting Josh Shapiro. In the House, Republicans have dominated with short spurts of Democratic majorities, but Tuesday's win sets up the longest stretch at six years.
The Senate is the nut Democrats have not been able to crack. Now they have.
Although there is a lot of crowing about this on one side and more than a little moaning on the other, both parties need to shake off the post-game emotions and think about what this really means.
It's a lack of excuses.
With all of the eggs in the Democratic basket, the party won't be able to blame anyone else if things don't get done. A good bill sits in committee? That's on you, Dems. A necessary solution to something like skill games or data centers isn't found? It's got your name on it. And let's not forget about the budget.
It needs to be signed, sealed and delivered before June 30.
But Republicans? This is your opportunity to show that you don't need to hold the reins to be involved. Co-sponsor bills. Help craft legislation across the aisle. There are always plenty of pitfalls; now is the time to build bridges over them.
The elections in Pennsylvania have whipped back and forth, left to right, red to blue, for so many cycles. This isn't Pennsylvanians telling their elected officials that they are easily swayed by ad campaigns or yard signs.
The people are telling Harrisburg -- and Washington -- that they see good ideas on both sides. The people in power just need to listen.