Elder Vogel

State Senate Democrats, eager to narrow the Republican majority, are pegging their hopes on a few open seats.

Republicans currently hold a 29-21 advantage in the chamber, a majority Democrats hope to erase in two years. But for now, the immediate focus is on seats without incumbents.

"We are looking at a couple of open seats, and we're very optimistic about them," state Sen. Connie Williams (D-Montgomery), who is chairing the Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee, told PolitickerPA.com in an interview this week.

Two weeks ago the Senate Republican Committee convinced Bob Regola to step aside because polling showed him losing badly in his race and he was replaced by Kim Ward.  It appears Republicans are not the only ones who pick their candidates with polling information.

Today the Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee will be picking their candidate for PA-47 to replace Sean Ramaley.  Last week Lawrence County supported Jason Petrella and Beaver County has supported County Commissioner Joe Spanik.  With each candidate getting the support of one county the decision was sent to the State Democratic Executive Committee. 

Early word was the Executive Committee was going to strongly support Spanik who has long been active in the party.  Petrella seems to have an advantage though heading into the vote thanks to polling that shows him running stronger in a general election.  According to one source Democratic Senate Leader Bob Mellow is working the phones hard to make sure Petrella is the candidate because of his stronger polling numbers.  While both candidates polled ahead of Republican Elder Vogel, but according to a source Petrella was stronger.  We have had reports that Mellow has been joined by other Senators on the phone, but have yet been unable to confirm.

Independent candidate Jay Paisley's chance at earning a spot on November's ballot will likely come down to Friday's deadline.

The former Democrat, who is challenging Republican Elder Vogel and Democrat Sean Ramaley in the 47th Senatorial District, told PolitickerPA.com he has collected 1,000 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon -- half the number needed to be put on the ticket. About 60 of his volunteers will continue scouring for signatures until Friday morning if necessary, Paisley said.

He gave himself about a 55 percent chance of success.

"But if we don't," he said, "the honest to goodness reason is we just ran out of time."

Winners based on the vote count from the PA Secretary of State website.

Democratic Presidential: Hillary Clinton
Democratic State Treasurer: Robert McCord

Congress
PA-03 Democratic: Kathy Daulkemper
PA-05 Democratic: Mark McCracken
PA-05 Republican: Glenn Thompson
PA-10 Republican: Chris Hackett
PA-18 Democratic: Steve O'Donnell

State Senate
SD1 Democratic: Lawrence Farnese
SD13 Republican: Lloyd Smucker
SD15 Democratic: Judy Hirsh
SD17 Republican: Lance Rogers
SD23 Republican: Gene Yaw
SD33 Republican: Richard Alloway
SD39 Democratic: Tony Bompiani
SD47 Democratic: Sean Michael Ramaley
SD47 Republican: Elder Vogel