Channel 11 spent the day with you at the polls as you went to make your voice heard.
Here’s what our reporters learned as they covered the candidates and topics that are important to you.
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PHOTOS: Western Pennsylvania voters take to the polls
Money pours into PA house rematch Republicans seek to hold
Both Democrat Hadley Haas and Republican Valerie Gaydos projected confidence as they greeted voters, offering hugs to neighbors and friends heading to the polls Tuesday to decide their fate.
For northwest Allegheny County, including Moon Township, Imperial and the Quaker Valley region, this election feels familiar: just two years ago, Gaydos bested Haas to retain the seat she’s held since 2018.
Gaydos’ lead in the purple district has slipped every year voters have headed to the polls. She beat Haas 54% to 46% in 2024, her narrowest victory to date.
This time around, Haas has national winds filling her sails and money pouring in to reinforce her. Filings showed more than $200,000 in donations coming from state- and national Democrat-aligned groups in the final days of the campaign in the last-minute push to put her over the edge.
Voters in Sewickley, Haas’ main base of support, said they’re voting against Republicans in Washington more than Gaydos, citing corruption and other issues that motivated them to go to the polls and cast ballots for her.
“We’ve been waiting for this since Donald Trump made it for president, so hopefully he was only an 18-month president,” Judith Marie said as she showed off her shirt with Donald Trump’s face superimposed on a portrait of Marie Antoinette.
Incumbent Bartolotta, independent challenger Borello share their goals
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta and independent challenger Jodi Borello are offering voters different approaches to some of the region’s biggest issues in a race that could have implications for the balance of power in Pennsylvania’s state Senate.
Bartolotta, a Republican seeking re-election, points to her legislative record and support for energy production. Borello is running as an independent, saying she wants to give voters an alternative to the two major parties and bring stronger industry oversight and greater attention to local communities to Harrisburg.
When asked what two priorities they would focus on if elected or re-elected, the candidates outlined different goals.
Bartolotta said she wants to advance Senate Bill 25, legislation that would give nurse practitioners full practice authority, allowing them to provide care without certain physician oversight requirements.
“I’ve been trying to get it through for years and years,” Bartolotta said. She argued that nurse practitioners could help address gaps in health care access, particularly in underserved areas.
State Senate president pro tempore shares how election could impact her position
Voters across Westmoreland County are casting ballots in elections that could alter the political makeup of the Pennsylvania Senate. Although state Sen. Kim Ward is not on the ballot, the results could affect her position in Harrisburg as leader of the chamber.
Ward currently serves as president pro tempore of the state Senate, having been unanimously reelected to the position in January with support from both Republicans and Democrats. A shift in party control following the election could result in Ward losing her post and serving in a minority leadership role.
Sen. Kim Ward, a Republican serving as Pennsylvania Senate president pro tempore, described the chamber’s top leadership post as nonpartisan in nature.
“This leadership role that I sit in, the president pro tempore, it’s not a very, very partisan position,” Ward said. “I am elected by Democrats and Republicans and we will just continue the way we have been, which is to work with the other side.”
Local races could help determine what party controls Pennsylvania House
Local Pennsylvania House of Representatives races could help determine what party controls the state House for the next two years.
In House District 12 in Butler County, Democratic incumbent State Rep. Brandon Dukes is looking to retain his seat against Republican candidate Scott Timko following a special election in August. It’s an election Dukes won by fewer than 100 votes.
Dukes hopes to carry momentum from August into this general election.
Right now, Democrats hold a three-seat majority.
Dukes said he encountered encouraging signs from voters while at the polls.
“Today I had a handful of Republicans who came up to me. I said ‘thank you for voting.’ They shook my hand and said ‘I voted for you, I’m a Republican. I’m tired of all this craziness.’ That was a very encouraging sign of today and what’s going to unfold tonight,” Dukes said.
Scott Timko, the Republican candidate challenging Dukes in District 12, noted that the previous special election suffered from low voter turnout and urged voters in Butler County to turn out before polling places closed.
Residents in Mars Borough, Adams Township vote on potential merger
Voters in Adams Township and Mars Borough are casting ballots Tuesday on a proposal to consolidate the two municipalities into a single entity named Mars Township.
Local officials state that merging the two communities would facilitate the construction of a new library in downtown Mars, provide 24-hour police protection for Mars Borough, improve regional planning, grant access and increase assets for economic growth.
Channel 11 spoke with voters in Adams Township about the proposed merger.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Mike McGarry said. “I think that can benefit both communities. I think some people in Adams are concerned they’re going to be putting a lot of money into Mars, but we’ve been assured that Mars does not have any debt. And I think that Mars can be another Zelienople. It can be developed into a core business district for Adams.”
Voter engagement and public meetings have helped shape local opinions on the consolidation effort.
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