The Pennsylvania House race between Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and Democrat Bob Harvie is drawing significant outside spending ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026 election, as Democrats seek to unseat an incumbent who has won repeatedly in a competitive district.

Key Takeaways

  • Fitzpatrick is seeking a sixth term in a district that voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.
  • A recent public poll showed Harvie narrowly ahead, but the difference was within the survey’s margin of error.

Pennsylvania House race draws outside spending

Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent and co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, faces Harvie, a former teacher and county commissioner, in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District. The race is among the contests that could help determine control of the House.

A poll released on Oct. 25 by The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Siena University found Harvie leading Fitzpatrick 48% to 46%, within the poll’s margin of error. Independent public polling on the race has been sparse.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has committed more than $1.5 million to television ads in the district since the start of October. House Democrats’ main super PAC has committed more than $7.5 million. The Congressional Leadership Fund and the National Republican Congressional Committee have committed just under $5 million and just over $1 million, respectively.

Candidates dispute Fitzpatrick’s record

Fitzpatrick has emphasized his independence from President Donald Trump. Harvie has challenged that characterization, pointing to votes in which the incumbent supported Republican priorities.

Fitzpatrick voted for an earlier House version of Republicans’ 2025 tax and spending package but against the final version. He said he opposed Medicaid cuts added in the Senate. He also voted to overturn Trump’s tariffs on Canada while supporting procedural measures that limited some congressional challenges to the president’s tariffs.

Fitzpatrick reported more than $709,000 in campaign cash as of Oct. 14, compared with just over $409,000 for Harvie.

Next milestone

Voters will decide the race on Nov. 3.

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