On November 4, 2025, Pennsylvania will hold a retention election for three sitting state supreme court justices. Voters will vote “yes” or “no” as to whether Justice Christine Donohue (D), Justice Kevin M. Dougherty (D) and Justice David N. Wecht (D) should each receive an additional 10-year term on the court. If voters do not retain a justice, Governor Josh Shapiro, with approval from two-thirds of the Pennsylvania State Senate, will appoint a temporary replacement until 2027 when a competitive partisan election would be held to elect a justice to a full term on the court.
Estimated Total TV Spending: $9,173,730
Candidates:
- Estimated spending by Kevin Dougherty: $1,185,000
- Estimated spending by David Wecht: $58,823
Outside groups:
- Estimated spending by Pennsylvanians For Judicial Fairness: $3,005,000
- Estimated spending by Vote Yes For Fair And Independent Courts: $3,449,232
- Estimated spending by Citizens for Term Limits: $1,425,675
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October 24 – NICOLE
In this ad, Nicole says: “Our Supreme Court Justices, Donohue, Dougherty and Wecht – they get how hard it is for working people.”
Sponsor: Vote Yes For Fair And Independent Courts
October 24 – JOE
In this ad, Joe Steamfitter says: “When the powerful came after our rights, they protected our freedoms to vote and right to join the union.”
Sponsor: Vote Yes For Fair And Independent Courts
October 14 – YES FOR KEVIN
In this ad, a voiceover says: “The negative ads from out of state billionaires are false – false and unfair.”
Sponsor: Kevin Dougherty
October 14 – PUBLIC SAFETY
In this ad, Kevin Dougherty says: “I’m Kevin Dougherty, please vote yes for me and I’ll keep the courts fair for you.”
Sponsor: Kevin Dougherty
October 7 – JOSH SHAPIRO
In this ad, Josh Shapiro says: “Here in Pennsylvania the threats to our freedoms are very real – that’s why we need to keep our state supreme court standing up for what’s right.”
Sponsor: Vote Yes For Fair And Independent Courts
October 2 – LAST LINE OF DEFENSE
In this ad, a voiceover says: “Nineteen states banned abortion, but here in Pennsylvania we’ve got a state supreme court that’s our last line of defense.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians For Judicial Fairness
October 2 – BUY ANYTHING
In this ad, a voiceover says: “Abortion billionaires are trying to flip control of our state supreme court to ban abortion just like they’ve done elsewhere.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians For Judicial Fairness
September 30 – DON’T MAKE LAWS
In this ad, the judges’ voiceover says: “We protected your right to abortion and your right to vote even when the powerful came after it.”
Sponsor: Vote Yes For Fair And Independent Courts
September 28 – DEFEND DEMOCRACY
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In this ad, a voiceover says: “We must defend our democracy and three no votes will force an election.”
Sponsor: Citizens for Term Limits
September 28 – VOTE YES
In this ad, a voiceover says: “Vote yes to keep Pennsylvania Supreme Court independent.”
Sponsor: Pennsylvanians For Judicial Fairness
