Election Center 2026
✅ General Election Recommendations for PA State Senate
Sustainable long-term funding for SEPTA has been repeatedly blocked by the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania senate chamber. SEPTA avoided a fiscal cliff in 2025 with a two-year band-aid solution by the Governor, but this funding will expire next spring. Pennsylvania’s 2027 budget will require real transit funding solutions to avoid catastrophe.
Democrats have an opportunity in the 2026 general election to win control of the chamber for the first time since 1978. This represents the best pathway to long term funding for SEPTA to not just avoid another fiscal cliff, but to grow into the nation’s best-of-class transit system.
Control of the chamber will come down to five races across eastern PA, concentrated in Philadelphia’s suburbs and exurbs:
- Democratic candidate Eileen Albillar is challenging the GOP incumbent in SD-6 (Bucks).
- Democratic candidate Mark Pinsley is challenging the GOP incumbent in SD-16 (Bucks and Lehigh).
- Democratic candidate Chris Thomas is challenging the GOP incumbent in SD-24 (Berks and Montgomery).
- Democratic candidate Brian Wrightson is challenging the GOP incumbent in SD-40 (Poconos).
- Democratic Senator James Malone must retain his seat in SD-36 (Lancaster).
5th Square PAC recommends that any members and supporters living in these districts vote for the Democratic candidate. For those who do not live in these districts, you can still support their election through volunteering with canvasses, phone banking, and financial contributions.
Note: We have not pursued our full endorsement process for these candidates and we take no position on their urbanist bona fides other than their non-opposition to SEPTA funding.
✅ Endorsed Candidates for PA State Legislator
- Marylouise Isaacson for the 175th House District
- Joe Hohenstein for the 177th House District
- Malcolm Kenyatta for the 181st House District
- Ben Waxman for the 182nd House District
- Elizabeth Fiedler for the 184th House District
- Tarik Khan for the 194th House District
- Sierra McNeil for the 195th House District
- Chris Johnson for the 200th House District
- Andre Carroll for the 201st House District
Read our press release for more information.
📅 Important Election Dates
| Oct 19, 2026 | Last day to register to vote |
| Oct 27, 2026 | Last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot |
| Nov 3, 2026 | GENERAL ELECTION (Polls Open 7AM - 8PM) |
📫 How to Vote By Mail
Any registered PA voter can request a mail-in ballot for any reason: either online (need PA ID) or by mail.
You can also register to vote or update your voting address online.
🗺️ Find Your District
Not sure which district you live in?
• Look up your elected officials using your home address
• Map of Philadelphia with State Senatorial Districts and State Representative Districts.
📋 2026 Primary Election Questionnaire Responses
Candidates may complete 5th Square PAC's 2026 questionnaires to be considered for our endorsement. All completed candidate questionnaires are provided in the links below.
For 5th Square's positions on these issues, see our 2026 Issues Page
United States House of Representatives
District 3 [Map]
Open seat
Contested Primary 🎯
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
District 175 [Map]
Incumbent: MaryLouise Isaacson
Uncontested Primary
MaryLouise Isaacson ✅ Endorsed
District 177 [Map]
Incumbent: Joe Hohenstein
Uncontested Primary
Joe Hohenstein ✅ Endorsed
District 181 [Map]
Incumbent: Malcolm Kenyatta
Uncontested Primary
Malcolm Kenyatta ✅ Endorsed
District 182 [Map]
Incumbent: Ben Waxman
Uncontested Primary
Ben Waxman ✅ Endorsed
District 184 [Map]
Incumbent: Elizabeth Fiedler
Uncontested Primary
Elizabeth Fiedler ✅ Endorsed
District 194 [Map]
Incumbent: Tarik Khan
Uncontested Primary
Tarik Khan ✅ Endorsed
District 195 [Map]
Incumbent: Keith S. Harris
Contested Primary 🎯
Sierra McNeil ✅ Endorsed
District 200 [Map]
Open seat
Contested Primary 🎯
Chris Johnson ✅ Endorsed
District 201 [Map]
Incumbent: Andre Carroll
Uncontested Primary
Andre Carroll ✅ Endorsed
5th Square PAC is an all-volunteer, member-supported Political Action Committee with nearly 400 dues-paying members, and we rely on a generous base of small donors to fund our work.
Help us win a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable Pennsylvania.
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