5 Takeaways from Pennsylvania’s Midterm Election

November 09, 2022

Another Election Day marks a period of transition for Pennsylvania, with a new slate of elected officials set to take top positions in Harrisburg and Washington in January.

Some of Pennsylvania’s top races were decided early on election night, while others remain too close to call during what has been another high-profile election cycle. While there are still some significant unknowns, here are five key takeaways from Election Day:

• A new governor: Josh Shapiro scored a decisive victory in the race for governor, defeating Senator Doug Mastriano by about a 13-point margin. As of this evening, Mastriano has not conceded, saying he planned to wait for all the votes to be tallied.
• Fetterman to serve:  Lt. Gov. John Fetterman defeated Mehmet Oz by roughly 3 percentage points and will replace retiring U.S. Senator Pat Toomey in Congress next year. The Senate race between Oz and Fetterman was among the most closely watched in the nation.
• Still to be determined:  At the state and federal levels, the majorities hang in the balance. The state House remains too close to call, while the makeup of the U.S. Senate is pending several close races.
• Top issues:  Initial polling indicated inflation and abortion access were among the top issues of concern for voters in the midterm election.
• Why it matters:  Lawmakers at the state and federal levels weigh critical policies that shape how health care will be delivered during 2023 and beyond.

State officials said it would take a few days before the returns will be completed. The unofficial results are due from the counties by 5 p.m. on November 15 and will be posted online.

HAP will continue to follow the latest developments about the 2022 general election and provide updates to members. HAP will continue to advocate for policies and legislation that support Pennsylvania’s hospitals and the communities they serve.

Learn more about HAP’s state and federal advocacy priorities.