Governor and Lieutenant Governor
The most significant statewide race in 2026 will be for Pennsylvania’s top two executive jobs. The governor is the state's chief executive, responsible for signing bills into law or vetoing them, managing the state budget, and overseeing all state agencies. The lieutenant governor serves as the governor's successor and presides over the State Senate, casting tie-breaking votes. In Pennsylvania, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run on a single ticket in the general election but are nominated separately in the primaries. This election will determine the direction of state policy on everything from education and economic development to environmental regulations and election administration for the next four years.
U.S. House of Representatives
Every two years,
all 17 of Pennsylvania's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election. These federal lawmakers, representing distinct geographic districts, have a direct say in national policy. They write and vote on federal laws, play a role in the federal budget process, and conduct oversight of federal agencies. Given Pennsylvania's status as a critical swing state, the outcomes of these 17 individual races will be closely watched and will contribute to determining which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
Pennsylvania State Senate
The General Assembly in Harrisburg is where state laws are born, and the State Senate is its upper chamber. Senators serve four-year staggered terms, meaning that in 2026, half of the 50 seats will be on the ballot. Republicans have maintained control of this chamber for decades, but Democrats are hoping to challenge that majority. The State Senate holds significant power, not only in passing legislation but also in confirming the governor's appointments to cabinet positions and state boards. The results of these 25 district races will decide which party holds the gavel and dictates the legislative agenda.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Control of the state's lower legislative chamber, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, will also be decided in 2026. Unlike the Senate, all 203 members are elected to two-year terms, meaning every single seat is on the ballot. In recent years, the House has been narrowly divided, with Democrats securing a slim majority in 2022 and holding it in 2024. This makes every local race critical to the balance of power in Harrisburg. State representatives are the lawmakers most directly connected to local communities, and their work impacts everything from school funding to local infrastructure projects.
What's Not on the Ballot
While the 2026 election is packed with important contests, voters should note that some high-profile offices are not on the regular ballot. There will not be an election for the U.S. Senate, as Pennsylvania's two senators are not up for reelection until 2028. Likewise, the key statewide "row offices"—Attorney General, Auditor General, and State Treasurer—are on a different four-year cycle and were last elected in 2024, so they will not appear on the 2026 ballot.
