Donald J. Trump and President Biden Secure Overwhelming Primary Victories in Pennsylvania
In a stunning turn of events, both former President Donald J. Trump and President Joe Biden scored overwhelming primary victories in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, despite facing opponents who had long dropped out of the race.
Mr. Trump dominated the Republican primary, securing a staggering 83 percent of the vote against his former rival Nikki Haley. While Ms. Haley managed to garner the support of over 155,000 Pennsylvanians, her campaign had already ended over a month ago. The results highlighted Mr. Trump’s ongoing struggle to fully unite the Republican electorate and win over his former opponents’ supporters.
On the Democratic side, President Biden, a Scranton native, captured nearly 95 percent of the vote, solidifying his standing with the Democratic base in Pennsylvania. Representative Dean Phillips, who had withdrawn from the race last month, still managed to secure about 5 percent of the vote.
One of the key takeaways from the Pennsylvania primary was the victory of progressive Democrat Representative Summer Lee, who successfully fended off a challenge focused on her criticism of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The results indicated a shift in public sentiment, particularly among Democrats, regarding the conflict in the region.
In another notable development, Republican David McCormick made a comeback in his second Senate run in Pennsylvania, winning the unopposed Republican primary. He will now face Democratic incumbent Senator Bob Casey in November, setting the stage for a closely watched Senate matchup.
Mr. McCormick’s redemption arc comes after his defeat in his first Senate primary run in 2022, where he was edged out by celebrity physician Dr. Mehmet Oz. With the endorsement of Mr. Trump this time around, Mr. McCormick is poised to give Senator Casey a tough challenge in the upcoming election.
As the November election approaches, all eyes will be on Pennsylvania as the state plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of the presidential race and key Senate battles.
