Pennsylvanian voters are in for a harsh, debate-filled November as the 2018 midterm elections quickly approach, with a vast variety of positions in both the state and federal governments being up for grabs for politicians.

The 2018 midterm election, scheduled for November 6 of this year, is a major and highly anticipated political occasion, holding the potential key to overturning the Republican control of Congress and of many states’ individual legislatures; as such, it is being very highly campaigned for and debated, with political tensions running high between candidates contesting for congressional seats. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, many positions are being contended: on the federal level, one seat in the Senate, all seats in the House of Representatives, and the seat governor (and lieutenant governor) are up for grabs. On a more local level, half of the State Senate and the whole of the State House of Representatives will be re-elected.

Arguably the most important federal seat to be discussed here is that of the sole senator participating in this election cycle—incumbent Democrat Robert Casey Jr., a native of Scranton, PA and son of former Pennsylvania Governor Robert Casey Sr.. His senatorial position has received a rather large amount of press attention in recent times, being fought for by Republican Lou Barletta, U.S. Representative for the 11th District since 2011 and our own Congressional representative until 2019 (due to a change in district borders due to gerrymandering charges); however, in many recent polls (including one conducted by Politico at the beginning of October), Casey has a nearly 20-point lead on Barletta.

Switching over to the other house of Congress, a list of contenders for House seats in the election cannot be enumerated in full due to its immense length; however, the new district in which Nanticoke will be placed—the 8th; see above note about change of district borders—is being contended by incumbent Representative Matt Cartwright on the Democratic end and John Chrin from the GOP. Specific statistics and polls are unknown as to who is likely to win in the election.

For the race to the position of Governor of Pennsylvania, competitors face a tough challenge from incumbent Democrat Tom Wolf, with nominee for lieutenant governor John Fetterman acting as his running mate; however, the Republican party has nominated its own gubernatorial pair: Scott Wagner and Jeff Bartos for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively.

More locally, incumbent of eight years Democrat Gerald J. Mullery and Republican candidate Justin Behrens are competing for our 119 district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; meanwhile, incumbent Democratic State Senator John Yudichak of district 14 is running uncontested for re-election.

Voters have ahead of them a wide variety of candidates for whom to vote, presenting a large source of confusion for many—especially the politically uninformed. However, adults and students over 18 are encouraged to vote for the improvement of United States and Pennsylvanian politics.