What’s it like to spend most of your waking hours running for statewide office only to come in fifth?
Jared Solomon, the Jewish Democrat who represents the 202nd district (Northeast Philadelphia) in the Pennsylvania House, ran to be his party’s nominee for attorney general in the 2024 election. Despite having the most money, more than $1 million, Solomon came in fifth with more than 136,000 votes in the April 23 primary. He lost to former state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, who got more than 367,000 votes.
Solomon, a fourth-term state rep, was glad he tried.
“I had an absolute blast traveling the state meeting voters and getting our message out. I think it was time I ran statewide,” he said. “I’m going to figure out how we can retool and rework and get on to the next fight.”
Solomon is running for reelection to his House seat, and he plans on campaigning for DePasquale in the fall.
“I’m going to campaign hard for him to make sure he wins against the Republican,” Solomon said.
The Northeast Philadelphian was also rational about his defeat. He was one of four candidates in the Democratic primary from Southeastern Pennsylvania. DePasquale, based in Pittsburgh, had the western half of the state to himself.
“It’s conventional wisdom. There were four southeastern candidates. He had a strong name ID in Western Pennsylvania,” Solomon explained.
These were the rest of the primary election results involving Jewish candidates.
Waxman Gets 98.99% of the Vote (Against No One)
Ben Waxman, the Jewish Democrat representing the 182nd district (Center City) in the Pennsylvania House, got 10,612 votes in an uncontested race for his party’s nomination. “Write-in” received 108.
The first-term state representative said he still had a job to do for the Democratic ticket.
“Turnout is still really important,” he said.
At the same time, he didn’t have to do anything different from his normal job. Waxman is a state rep. He has to run again every two years. So like a marathoner, he’s always running.
“There are meetings with wards, there’s door knocking, there’s financially contributing to local wards but also for the Democratic city committee,” he explained.
During his first term, Waxman used his place on the Appropriations Committee to bring back “hundreds of thousands of dollars” to his district, he said. The money went toward open spaces, nonprofits and community groups.
He plans on running on that record in the fall.
“I am proud to have brought hundreds of thousands of dollars in resources back to the district,” he said.
Pinsley Loses Auditor General’s Race
Mark Pinsley, a Jewish Democrat from the Lehigh Valley, ran against Philadelphia-based state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (District 181) for the party’s nomination for auditor general. Kenyatta won with 65% of the vote.
Pinsley ended up with more than 358,000 people in his corner.
The businessman’s political career began in 2017 when he ran for a commissioner seat in South Whitehall Township in response to Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric about Mexicans and Muslims. Pinsley won that race and then got elected as a Lehigh County controller in 2019.
But in 2022, he lost a race for state Senate.
Salisbury Fends Off Challenger
Abigail Salisbury, the Jewish Democrat who represents the 34th district (Allegheny County) in the Pennsylvania House, got some attention in November when she helped lead the failed effort to move the primary off Passover.
In the primary, the first-term rep was challenged by Ashley Comans, who had the backing of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, who used to hold Salisbury’s seat. (Lee is also known for her anti-Israel views.)
Comans is Black and an ally of Lee’s, and Gainey cited race as a factor in his endorsement.
“Right now, too many Black, brown and low-income neighborhoods are denied resources and the safe environment and educational opportunities kids need to thrive,” he said.
Salisbury won with more than 8,000 votes and more than 63% of the vote.
“I think she hung her whole campaign on being best friends with Summer Lee,” Salisbury said.
“But I think people in this district want to see someone who does the work,” she added.
Salisbury’s district has 13 municipalities. She was endorsed by eight mayors and a township commissioner.
