Democrats claim tight victory in Pennsylvania
Result is an ‘ominous sign’ for Republicans in lead up to November midterms

Democratic candidate Conor Lamb has claimed an extremely narrow victory in Pennsylvania’s 18th District special election held yesterday, in a district Donald Trump won by 20 points in the 2016 presidential election.
With 99.9% of the vote counted at midnight local time, Lamb held a very slim lead over GOP rival Rick Saccone, 49.9% to 49.5% – a difference of just 579 votes with more than 225,000 ballots cast.
“Tonight we celebrate regaining our voice and our vote in the great business of governing this country we love,” Lamb told supporters.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Officials are working to finalise the counting of 1,398 outstanding absentee ballots, which commentators say make it “mathematically possible but highly unlikely” for Saccone to make up the difference.
Saccone’s campaign and the National Republican Committee have announced that they have no intention of conceding for now.
Regardless of who is declared the winner, the result “is expected to raise Democratic hopes of taking back the House in November's midterm elections”, Fox News says.
CNN’s Eric Bradner said Republicans should be “very, very worried”, and that the result is an “ominous sign for the midterms.”
The surge in popularity for the Democrats in the election came despite Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner making several trips to the state to campaign for Saccone.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Nare Hotel: a charming hideaway on the Cornish coast
The Week Recommends Upgrade your classic seaside holiday at this five-star country house hotel
By Theo Tait Published
-
Today's political cartoons - March 6, 2025
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - weird science, Hoover's heels, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Gilbert & George and the Communists: an 'illuminating' look at the 'peculiar' world of the art duo
The Week Recommends The collaborative art pair's journey to Moscow in 1990 is chronicled in this 'excellent' book
By The Week UK Published
-
Trump touts early wins in partisan speech to Congress
Speed Read The president said he is 'just getting started' with his sweeping changes to immigration, the economy and foreign policy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trudeau blasts Trump's 'very dumb' trade war
Speed Read Retaliatory measures have been announced by America's largest trading partners following Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Are we really getting a government shutdown this time?
Talking Points Democrats rebel against budget cuts by Trump, Musk
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Deportation of Ohio's Haitians could spark economic turmoil
The Explainer Temporary protected status (TPS) is set to expire for 500,000 Haitians in August
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'This new reality contradicts one of the chief aims of America's patent system'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has Starmer put Britain back on the world stage?
Talking Point UK takes leading role in Europe on Ukraine and Starmer praised as credible 'bridge' with the US under Trump
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why is Trump's cryptocurrency reserve plan putting some economists on edge?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION The president has named five cryptocurrencies he wants to see added to a federal stockpile as experts and lawmakers alike warn that the whole project could be a total flop
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine after public spat
Speed Read Trump and J.D. Vance berated Volodymyr Zelenskyy for what they saw as insufficient gratitude
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published