**Pennsylvania’s sleepy judicial retention votes just exploded into a *million-dollar partisan inferno* – with GOP billionaires and DNC cash flooding airwaves to oust three Democratic justices days before November 4 ballots drop.
Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht – elected as Democrats in 2015, flipping the court 5-2 liberal – face yes/no votes for 10 more years. YES keeps them; NO triggers 2027 partisan races – GOP eyes deadlock or flip ahead of 2030 redistricting and 2026/2028 showdowns.
Ad blitz shatters records: $10M+ poured in – $8M spent/committed by mid-Oct via TV, mailers, digital. Pennsylvanians for Judicial Fairness (PJF) dumped $3.4M pro-YES; ACLU $500K+ civil rights push. GOP fire: RSLC $85K+ digital “NO” ads; Citizens for Term Limits (Jeff Yass-backed) $1.1M reserved slamming “woke radicals.” DNC/DLCC counter six-figures; Shapiro stars in YES spot.
Partisan fireworks: NO ads blast mail ballots upheld (2020/2022 wins), COVID lockdowns, Cosby release, “gerrymander” lies (GOP drew 2011 map). YES fires back: Abortion shield, worker rights, vs. billionaire overreach. PA Bar Association unanimously recommends YES – “fair, prepared.”
X erupts: @jjabbott YES ads rack 2K+ views; @DawnFantasia_NJ NO push 1.5K; @SpotlightPA exposes dark money gaps.
PA voters’ stakes: Swing-state court rules voting maps, abortion, elections – 42M SNAP chaos aside, low-turnout Nov. 4 (33% avg) amplifies $ every ad. Scott Presler mobilizes NO greeters; Dems phone-bank frenzy. Poll: 50% undecided.
Tracking nightmare: Dark money loopholes hide full tab – late filings, $10/day fines = “Mack Truck” gaps.
Historic? First ouster since 2005 pay-raise revolt. Shapiro: “Freedoms frontline.” GOP: “Accountability NOW.” Ballots flip – YES/NO decides decade.
By Sam Michael
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