On May 16, 2023, Pennsylvania held a primary election to fill one vacant seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The vacancy was created following the death of Justice Max Baer in September 2022. Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Daniel McCaffery defeated fellow Superior Court Judge Deborah Kunselman in the Democratic primary. Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio defeated Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Patricia McCullough in the Republican primary. In the general election on November 7, 2023, Judge Daniel McCaffery won against Judge Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio, securing a 10-year term on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Kantar Media/CMAG: Estimated Total TV Spending: $8,598,680
Candidates:
- Estimated spending by Dan McCaffery: $1,143,820
- Estimated spending by Carolyn Carluccio: $535,950
Outside groups:
- Estimated spending by Pennsylvanians for Judicial Fairness: $2,567,800
- Estimated spending by Commonwealth Leaders Fund: $1,864,640
- Estimated spending by Planned Parenthood Votes: $465,520
- Estimated spending by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund: $416,300
- Estimated spending by Fair Courts America: $647,230
- Estimated spending by Republican State Leadership Committee: $465,520
- Estimated spending by Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry: $491,900
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November 3 – ELIZABETH
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “We need a judge on the Supreme Court who’s going to apply the law neutrally, regardless of their political stance."
Sponsor: Carolyn Carluccio
Estimated Spending: $117,360
November 1 – BIG MONEY BOYS B ROLL
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “The truth: I will upload the law, including women’s reproductive rights, on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court."
Sponsor: Carolyn Carluccio
Estimated Spending: $53,470
November 1 – CHARACTER MATTERS
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Tell Dan McCaffery the exploitation of women still has no place on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court."
Sponsor: Republican State Leadership Committee
Estimated Spending: $369,650
October 31 – THE ONLY CANDIDATE 15
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Dan McCaffery: Prosecutor, Veteran, Judge.”
Sponsor: Dan McCaffery
Estimated Spending: $60,720
October 27 – UNSPEAKABLE CRIMES
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Dan McCaffery’s bad judgment puts Pennsylvania families at risk. Vote NO on Dan McCaffery for Pennsylvania Supreme Court.”
Sponsor: Fair Courts America
Estimated Spending: $647,230
October 27 – EMAILS
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “A study found his [Dan McCaffery] courtroom was a hub for political deals and favoritism.”
Sponsor: Commonwealth Leaders Fund
Estimated Spending: $785,020
October 26 – DECEPTIVE AND DANGEROUS
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Carluccio was caught erasing her anti-abortion stance from her website.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians for Judicial Fairness
Estimated Spending: $487,760
October 26 – ATTACK AD
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “The truth: McCaffery is endorsed by law enforcement and planned parenthood.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians for Judicial Fairness
Estimated Spending: $840,960
October 25 – BILLIONAIRES
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “The billionaires and corporations want to buy a Supreme Court seat, so they’re lying about Judge Dan McCaffery.”
Sponsor: Dan McCaffery
Estimated Spending: $229,430
October 24 – MAGA REPUBLICANS
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “On November 7th, protect your freedoms and rights. Vote for Dan McCaffery for Supreme Court.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians for Judicial Fairness
Estimated Spending: $434,700
October 17 – GREW UP 15
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “I leave politics at the door, and I’ll do the same on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.”
Sponsor: Carolyn Carluccio
Estimated Spending: $142,590
October 17 – BIG MONEY BOYS
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “The truth: I apply the law fairly and will keep politics out of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.”
Sponsor: Carolyn Carluccio
Estimated Spending: $154,540
October 13 – POLITICS POISONED
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “When Dan McCaffery plays politics, he only protects himself.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
Estimated Spending: $491,900
October 13 – ONLY ONE
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “The only candidate endorsed by police, Planned Parenthood, and labor unions.”
Sponsor: Dan McCaffery
Estimated Spending: $680,360
October 12 – Vote No
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Dan McCaffery is a part of the worst scandal in Supreme Court history"
Sponsor: Commonwealth Leaders Fund
Estimated Spending: $1,079,620
October 12 – Hiding
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Carluccio is running for our Supreme Court, but wiped her extreme positions from her website – and now, we know why."
Sponsor: Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund
Estimated Spending: $416,300
October 10 – Speak Up
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “When it comes to protecting women’s healthcare, Carolyn Carluccio is dangerous and deceitful"
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians for Judicial Fairness
Estimated Spending: $477,780
October 3 – A Lot of Jobs
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Now the judge hailed for bringing a blue-collar attitude is going for a new job – fighting for us on the Supreme Court."
Sponsor: Dan McCaffery
Estimated Spending: $173,310
September 26 – Deceitful and Dishonest
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Carluccio tried to hide the evidence of her extreme views by erasing them from her campaign website.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians for Judicial Fairness
Estimated Spending: $326,600
September 21 – JUSTICES
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Pennsylvania Supreme Court candidate Carolyn Carluccio is a threat to our abortion rights.”
Sponsor: Planned Parenthood Votes
Estimated Spending: $465,520
May 3 – GETS IT
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Judge Carluccio has conservative values, ethics, and integrity.”
Sponsor: Carolyn Carluccio
Estimated Spending: $67,990
May 3 – INTEGRITY
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “Patricia McCullough resigned as head of a charity after it came out she accepted thousands of dollars of donations made with stolen funds.”
Sponsor: Republican State Leadership Committee
Estimated Spending: $124,120
