In a historic upset, Democrat James Malone appears to have won the open Pennsylvania state Senate seat in Lancaster County’s 36th District, a seat previously held by a Republican amidst a strong Trump following. As of late Tuesday evening, March 25, 2025, Malone, the mayor of East Petersburg Borough, led Republican Josh Parsons by a slim margin of 482 votes, with a total count of 26,951 against Parsons' 26,469. The Libertarian candidate, Zachary Moore, garnered 480 votes. The outcome was reported after all precincts had submitted their results, yet several provisional and overseas ballots remained to be counted.
Malone celebrated his apparent victory by expressing cautious optimism, hoping that his lead would stay above the 0.5% margin needed for an automatic recount. “This is wonderful,” he stated. “We started from the bottom.” His win would mark a significant milestone, as there hasn't been a Democrat serving in the state Senate from this district since it transitioned from Philadelphia to Lancaster County in 1979.
The election was triggered by the resignation of former state Senator Ryan Aument, who left to become the state director for U.S. Senator Dave McCormick. The strong Republican voter base in this district—53% Republican compared to about 30% Democrat—made Malone's position unexpected. Moreover, just four months prior, Trump had secured 57% of the votes in the district during the presidential election.
Despite his defeat, Parsons refrained from conceding outright, noting in a statement on X that he was “disappointed by the numbers” and expected he would “come up a little short.” He had campaigned extensively in the area, claiming his team had interacted with “tens of thousands” of voters in advance of the election.
While voter turnout for the election was low, at under 30%, Democratic organizers had nurtured a sense of momentum against the Republican stronghold. The early absentee ballot returns had indicated a solid showing for Democrats, leading to escalating concerns within Republican ranks. Even key Republican figures such as Elon Musk commented early on social media about the potential loss.
Governor Josh Shapiro endorsed Malone’s success, asserting that it signaled a rejection of “extremism and division coming out of D.C.” He remarked, “They chose a better way forward – an embrace of competence, commonsense, and a desire to bring people together.”
Political analysts recognized this win as indicative of shifting dynamics in what had been a staunchly Republican area. Stephen Medvic, a political science professor at Franklin & Marshall College, remarked on social media, “Democrats just flipped a seat in a Trump +15 state senate district in Lancaster County, PA.”
The significance of this election extends beyond the immediate results: it suggests a potential resurgence of the Democratic Party even in traditionally conservative areas as national sentiment appears to pivot. This win comes in the context of many recent local elections showing a Democratic trend, including another significant Senate win in Iowa and successes in local elections across New York.
Malone’s victory narrows the Republican majority in the Pennsylvania Senate to 27 seats against 23 Democratic seats, reflecting a shift in voter sentiments that could impact future legislative efforts. The results will undoubtedly be scrutinized further as provisional and overseas ballots are counted, which could potentially alter the outcome, although current forecasts suggest an uphill challenge for Parsons to overcome Malone’s lead.
The wider implications of Malone's win have been echoed by Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin who described the result as a “shockwave” through the political landscape, pointing to the significant Republican voter registration advantage that Malone overcame. “In a district that went to Trump by 15 in 2024 and has a 23-point Republican voter registration advantage, Malone’s victory is a loud and clear rebuke to Republicans’ threats to the programs Pennsylvania families rely on,” Martin stated.
As officials await the final tally of all ballots, the political landscape in Pennsylvania has certainly evolved, marking the 36th District special Senate election as a pivotal moment in the state’s political narrative.
In the not-so-distant past, Trump’s considerable win in the district raised eyebrows for Democrats. However, the latest results illustrate a swing of fortune, with Malone poised to be the beacon of change in a previously fortified electoral bastion for Republicans.
As the landscape continues to shift, with special elections like this one gaining national attention, both parties are now tasked with reevaluating their strategies in addressing voters’ concerns and aspirations. The Lancaster County election outcome will likely echo far beyond its geographical boundaries, influencing strategies and sentiments not just in Pennsylvania but potentially in other swing districts across the nation.
Overall, with this unexpected turnaround, the results could allow Democrats to harness renewed energy going forward in the 2025 elections and beyond, making Malone’s victory emblematic of the changing tides in American politics.
