Pennsylvania primary results unpacked: Democrats go far left, while GOP centers

MONONGAHELA, Pennsylvania — Downballot primary results for seats in the Pennsylvania legislature and Congress had both parties heading into very different directions for November’s midterm election cycle. The Democrats are marching far left, and Republicans are beating back challengers from their far-right flanks.

In Washington County, in a strident race, Republican state Sen. Camera Bartolotta easily swatted down challenger Al Buchtan from her right. The activists who wanted to take her down were behind the Washington County Republican Party issuing a vote of no confidence in the race.

But the coup organized by activists didn’t work. Bartolotta won Washington County by a wide margin.

Over in the 48th state Senate District, which covers Lebanon and parts of Berks and Lancaster counties, another incumbent Republican state senator beat a challenger to his right, with Chris Gebhard defeating challenger Clovis Crane soundly. Gebhard earned 67.4% of the vote to Carne’s 32.6%, with 92% of