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Pennsylvania Democrats pick swing-district challengers in bid to reclaim US House

By Reuters Reuters
Bob Harvie, Candidate for Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District, addresses supporters at a midterm primary election night rally in Warminster, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah Beier
Bob Harvie, Candidate for Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District, addresses supporters at a midterm primary election night rally in Warminster, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah Beier Hannah Beier Reuters

Democratic Party voters in Pennsylvania picked their candidates to challenge incumbent Republican lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday ahead of November elections that will determine which party controls Congress.

Here are the candidates who won Tuesday's primaries in the most closely watched races for seats that Democrats want to flip, according to calls by local news outlets based on preliminary vote counts:

• In eastern Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district, Bob Harvie, a Bucks County Board commissioner, was projected to become the Democratic candidate challenging the seat held by Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican.

• In the 7th district, Bob Brooks, a retired firefighter and former labor union leader, was projected to be the Democrats' pick to challenge incumbent Representative Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican.

• In the 10th district, Janelle Stelson, a former anchor for a local news channel, won the Democratic nomination to run against incumbent Representative Scott Perry, a Republican.

(Editing by Stephen Coates)

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro looks on as he addresses supporters at a midterm primary election night rally in Warminster, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah Beier
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro looks on as he addresses supporters at a midterm primary election night rally in Warminster, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah Beier Hannah Beier Reuters
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis addresses supporters at a midterm primary election night rally in Warminster, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah Beier
Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis addresses supporters at a midterm primary election night rally in Warminster, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah Beier Hannah Beier Reuters
People stand near the U.S. Capitol building on a cloudy day in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
People stand near the U.S. Capitol building on a cloudy day in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 14, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper Kylie Cooper Reuters
A mail-in ballot, during the Pennsylvania primary election, is displayed in this illustration picture taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah Beier/Illustration
A mail-in ballot, during the Pennsylvania primary election, is displayed in this illustration picture taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Hannah Beier/Illustration Hannah Beier Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 7:51 PM.

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