The political elite of Pennsylvania is traveling to New York City for their yearly weekend retreat, which is packed with exclusive events.
During the annual Pennsylvania Society weekend, both Democrats and Republicans from the state’s political elite will mingle about Midtown Manhattan, enjoying lavish parties and dinners, as well as perhaps some political business.
Additionally, Democrats need to rebuild after the 2024 red wave election, while Republicans have enough to celebrate.
The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the Hilton Midtown, where lawmakers and officials will cap the weekend with a charity dinner on Saturday night, will cast a shadow over this year’s weekend of fancy parties.
First-term Democrat Josh Shapiro, who has an exceptionally high popularity rating, is expected to attend and speak at the 126th Pennsylvania Society dinner, an occasion that his predecessor, Governor Tom Wolf, frequently shunned.
These three items are worth keeping an eye on this weekend.
In 2026, who will oppose Shapiro?
First, Pennsylvania Republicans will celebrate their victories after ousting longtime U.S. Senator Bob Casey, taking control of the three statewide row offices, gaining two seats in the U.S. House, and retaining a sizable majority in the state Senate. When Shapiro is up for reelection in the 2026 midterm, they will then start planning and considering possible candidates for the upcoming significant election.
The governor is still the most popular leader in the state, and his popularity was largely unaffected by his early troubles in office. It only increased during his time in the national spotlight when he was considered to be running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris. Whether or when he follows through on his long-rumored presidential ambitions will probably depend on his performance in 2026.
Republicans view State Treasurer Stacy Garrity as their top candidate to challenge Shapiro, since she just broke Shapiro’s record for the most votes ever garnered in a statewide row office race. She was elected last month to a second four-year term, but her current term as the state’s top fiscal administrator is term-limited.
But who else will Republicans consider as Shapiro’s potential opponents? Will any of the unsuccessful candidates from 2022 run for office again? The people who come together this weekend to mingle, discuss politics, and make plans for upcoming elections will undoubtedly be thinking about those questions.
Are Democrats still in mourning or are they getting back together?
After suffering crushing defeats last month, Pennsylvania Democrats are forced to reconsider their approach to voter outreach.
Following her defeat, Harris’ campaign and the Philadelphia Democratic Party began a bitter fight that ended with a senior Harris campaign aide demanding the resignation of Bob Brady, the city party chairman. (Brady and his supporters have stated that he is not leaving and that a shift to the right in the country is not his fault.) Additionally, there will probably need to be changes made to the state party leadership due to dismal results up and down the statewide ballot, with the exception of the Pennsylvania state House, where Democrats maintained a slim majority.
We’ll be watching to see if Democrats spend the weekend recovering or if they are concentrating on planning their next course of action after losing working-class voters across racial and cultural divides in the November election.
The Democrats’ state committee meeting next month, where top officials will restructure and even switch state party leadership, may be spoiled by this weekend.
Festivities for Republicans and possibly a Pa. Society without Bob Casey
Over the course of the weekend, Republicans will undoubtedly brag about their numerous significant victories. However, none was more significant or remarkable than Casey’s defeat by GOP Sen.-elect Dave McCormick.
This weekend could perhaps be the first time in decades that a member of the political dynasty of the Casey family is not present. Casey served in the Senate for four different presidents, starting with George W. Bush and ending with Joe Biden, who was also from Scranton. Throughout his lengthy political career, his father, Bob Casey Sr., held positions as an auditor general, state senator, and ultimately governor of Pennsylvania.
We’ll see how McCormick throws a party to celebrate his victory and see whether Casey makes an appearance as a farewell.
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