HARRISBURG, Pa. — With the U.S. House of Representatives facing a narrow divide between parties, the upcoming elections for Pennsylvania’s congressional seats will be crucial for determining control of the House. Pennsylvania is also a significant player in the race for the White House and the Senate this election cycle.

Democrats require four additional seats to seize control, making every House race in the state exceptionally important. As the year got underway, both major parties identified five races in Pennsylvania as highly competitive, where Democrats aim to defend their narrow 9-8 lead in the state’s 17-seat delegation. Compounding the importance of these races is the state’s status as a home to one of the “Biden 16” — districts that President Biden won in 2020 but are currently held by Republicans. Conversely, Pennsylvania also has one of the eight districts where former President Trump won but is represented by a Democrat, with five of these Democrats seeking reelection.

Financially, the battle is intense. The Federal Election Commission has reported that candidates and outside interest groups have contributed over $60 million into these races, with expectations of this amount rising as the election date of November 5 approaches.

For Republicans, there are opportunities to shift the balance: Two incumbent Democrats from Pennsylvania won their districts by margins of less than 2.5 percentage points in the previous election. Here’s a closer look at five pivotal races:

**1st District**
In Bucks County, Republican U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, who has served four terms, is a primary target for Democrats. As one of the Biden 16, Fitzpatrick benefits from strong name recognition, coming from a family with political ties, along with his reputation for bipartisanship. He boasts endorsements from key labor unions, including the AFL-CIO, and has promoted himself as the “No. 1 most bipartisan congressman” through digital advertising.

Fitzpatrick’s challenger is Ashley Ehasz, a former Army helicopter pilot whom he defeated in 2022 by nearly 10 points. Democrats are criticizing Fitzpatrick for his support of Trump’s tax cuts, his stance against impeachment, and his backing of a 20-week abortion ban in 2017. However, Fitzpatrick asserts his commitment to abortion rights under Pennsylvania law, which permits the procedure until 24 weeks of gestation, aligning with the Roe v. Wade viability standard. His fundraising efforts have also significantly outpaced Ehasz’s, leaving her campaign without external support to counter Fitzpatrick’s advantages.

**7th and 8th Districts**
Democratic Representatives Susan Wild and Matt Cartwright are seasoned incumbents who have successfully thwarted Republican challenges in their eastern Pennsylvania districts, although they have done so by narrow margins. Their contests are shaping up to be some of the most financially intensive congressional races within the state.

Cartwright is noteworthy as one of five Democrats nationally who are running for reelection in districts that Trump won in 2020. His 8th District seat includes Scranton, a city pivotal to Biden’s presidential success. Wild and Cartwright represent adjacent districts that share geographical features such as small cities, suburbs, and rural areas, including regions historically tied to anthracite coal mining. Both Democrats are facing challenges from state-level candidates; Wild from Rep. Ryan Mackenzie and Cartwright from newcomer Rob Bresnahan, with substantial fundraising advantages.

**10th District**
Republican Representative Scott Perry, who has served six terms, is often targeted by Democrats due to his far-right views and connections to controversial political activities. His district, which encompasses Harrisburg and York, contains a mix of suburban and rural areas.

Having held a prominent role in the Freedom Caucus—a faction within the GOP that wields significant influence—Perry’s actions have come under scrutiny. His bid to elevate a lawmaker aligned with Trump amidst the investigation into election fraud allegations has highlighted his controversial political activities. Despite this, he successfully secured reelection in 2022 by almost 8 points against a less formidable opponent. This election, he is being challenged by Janelle Stelson, a popular local TV anchor, who is leveraging her media presence against Perry, particularly focusing on his opposition to abortion rights and his efforts related to the 2020 election.

**17th District**
In western Pennsylvania, Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio faces a challenge from state Rep. Rob Mercuri. Deluzio, a freshman, has outperformed Mercuri in fundraising, although the race has drawn less attention compared to others.

In this district, Democrats have a slight edge in voter registration, with a 4-3 ratio over Republicans. The region encompasses Pittsburgh’s suburbs and former steel towns along the Ohio River, providing an intriguing landscape for the upcoming electoral battle.