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Eugene DePasquale, former State Auditor General, has been elected as the new chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. The announcement was made during the State Democratic Committee meeting held at the Eden Resort & Suites in Manheim Township on Saturday (September 6). DePasquale, who served as Auditor General from 2013 to 2021 and as a state representative for York County, succeeds State Senator Sharif Street.
DePasquale expressed gratitude for the support from Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, emphasizing the need to rebuild the party's infrastructure and voter registration efforts. "It’s clear that as a party, we have a lot of work and opportunity ahead of us," he stated.
The new chair highlighted the importance of reconnecting with voters and communities that have felt neglected. He also criticized recent Republican tax and spending cuts, arguing they favor the wealthy at the expense of essential programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. DePasquale's leadership comes after a challenging election cycle for Pennsylvania Democrats, who lost several key races in 2024.
DePasquale's election is seen as a strategic move to prepare for the 2026 elections, where Governor Shapiro will seek re-election, and multiple legislative and congressional seats will be contested.