In the PA Senate, Democrats have a projected majority of 26 to 24, flipping four Senate seats and losing one of their own. Republicans had held the Senate 27 to 23.
Republicans lost the seats held by Sen. Frank Farry (Bucks), Sen. Jarrett Coleman (Lehigh/Bucks), Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (Berks/Montgomery) and Sen. Rosemary Brown (Lackawanna/Monroe/Wayne).
There is no doubt A.I. data center issues played a role in the outcome of these races.
Democrats lost the seat held by Sen. James Malone (Lancaster).
Republican Sen. Camera Bartolotta retained her seat with 56.1% of the vote versus Independent Jodi Borello with 43.8%.
In the PA House, Democrats increased their margin to a projected 113 to 89, with one seat too close to call-- District 41-- Republican Rep. Brett Miller (leading) v. Brad Chambers (Lancaster).
House Democrats had held the House by 103 to 100.
Reactions
Molly Parzen, Executive Director of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, issued the following statement-- “This is a watershed moment for our Commonwealth.
“For the first time in more than three decades, Pennsylvanians have elected a pro-environment majority in both the state House and the state Senate.
“This historic victory was driven by voters from every corner of Pennsylvania who demanded an end to corporate greed, skyrocketing utility bills and handouts to billionaire Big Tech CEOs.
“Candidates won up and down the ballot because they campaigned on an unapologetic affordability agenda: standing up to corporate utilities, making data centers pay for their own costs, expanding access to locally produced cheap clean energy and creating family-sustaining union jobs.
“Voters rejected politicians beholden to corporate donors and chose leaders who put working families first.
“The legislative bottleneck that paralyzed Harrisburg for years is finally broken.
“The days of commonsense clean energy bills and ratepayer protections passing the House only to be killed in the Senate are over.
“We now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver transformational change and turn Pennsylvania into a national leader on energy affordability and environmental protection.
“That leadership is desperately needed right now.
“While Donald Trump works to enrich Big Tech billionaires and fossil fuel executives at working people's expense-- gutting federal clean energy programs and raising costs on Pennsylvania families-- Harrisburg can now stand firm as a shield against ever-increasing prices and environmental destruction.
“We will not allow corporate giveaways in Washington to compromise Pennsylvania's air, water, grid reliability or household budgets.
“The time for delay is behind us. Voters have delivered a clear, resounding mandate.
“Harrisburg must act swiftly to enact strict data center guardrails and dramatically expand union-made clean energy and grid-scale battery storage.
“It is finally time to deliver the lower costs, cleaner air and brighter economic future Pennsylvanians deserve.”
Deena Stoudt, Lehigh Valley Organizer for Food & Water Action, issued the following statement--
Yesterday, Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley won the election for Pennsylvania State Senate District 16, ousting incumbent Republican [State Sen.] Jarrett Coleman.
Pinsley’s call for a data center moratorium was central to his campaign, representing a rejection of Big Tech and the data industry agenda largely embraced by Governor Josh Shapiro.
Pinsley was critical of both parties’ approach to data centers, criticizing Shapiro’s recent Executive Order as a half measure.
The election results demonstrate historic gains for Democrats, who have won majority control of the state senate for the first time since 1993.
Food & Water Action endorsed Pinsley and knocked over 6,000 doors, talking to over 1,000 voters about Pinsley’s fight against data centers. Lehigh County has two active data center proposals in South Whitehall and Allentown and more than two dozen Lehigh Valley municipalities have passed or are working on ordinances regulating data centers.
Stoudt said-- “Pennsylvania voters have demonstrated that we are looking for meaningful action on data centers. Food & Water Action is proud to help elect Mark Pinsley to make that happen.
“His call for a data center moratorium reflects what Pennsylvanians want. Data centers will only add to our problems; we can’t afford more pollution, higher bills, and the loss of our remaining agricultural land.
“Municipalities have been scrambling to get rules on the books to address the data center debacle, all without adequate support from the state.
“People like Pinsley offer a beacon of hope for Pennsylvanians betrayed by the lack of action on data centers by moving the needle toward a more secure future for our communities.”
Pinsley’s defeated opponent [State Sen.] Coleman had a poor track record on data center opposition.
He proposed Senate Bill 1345 this summer, which would allow municipalities to enact an optional 18-month moratorium on new hyperscale data center applications-- an ability they already have.
Advocates denounced the bill’s carveout for developers to request waiving a moratorium if it creates undue hardship for the developer.
Additionally, the bill would not apply to data centers that previously entered into an agreement and would be co-located on a power generation site.
Coalfield Justin Action issued this statement on the loss of Jodi Borello to Republican Sen. Camera Bartolotta in Washington/Greene Counties--
“While tonight's outcome wasn't what we hoped for, Coalfield Justice Action (CJA) is incredibly proud of the work staff and volunteers did to support our endorsed candidate in southwestern Pennsylvania.
“We knocked on more than 12,000 doors in just three months and engaged thousands of voters who were overlooked in previous elections.
“Despite Senator Bartolotta receiving over $2.6 million in direct contributions since May, the strength of Jodi Borello’s platform and a people-powered campaign made this one of the closest races this district-- which Donald Trump won by 29 points in 2024--has seen in years.
“It’s clear that more and more voters in southwestern Pennsylvania are inspired to vote for community champions who will fight for working people and protect our families.
“CJA isn’t giving up: we will continue to build on this result by investing in candidates and campaigns who advance community-led solutions for a healthy environment and thriving economy.
“CJA gave me the opportunity to make a real impact in the political process in my own community this year,” said Sevanna Adams, a Claysville resident and CJA volunteer. “They are truly helping local people build power, bridge gaps across party politics, and shape the issues that impact us all. This is about more than just one candidate in one race; it’s a movement to change how politics works in Washington and Greene Counties. We aren’t going anywhere."
[Posted: November 4, 2026] PA Environment Digest
