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: $5,104,185
Outside groups:
- Estimated spending by Pennsylvanians For Judicial Fairness: $2,411,000
- Estimated spending by Vote Yes For Fair And Independent Courts: $1,480,510
- Estimated spending by Citizens for Term Limits: $1,212,675
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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
