If you walk down Broad Street during an election year, you’ll see the murals, the flyers, and the sheer energy of a city that feels like it’s vibrating. People always ask, is Philadelphia a red or blue state? Well, first off, Philly isn't a state—it’s a city and a county. But honestly, the question is usually a shortcut for people trying to figure out if Pennsylvania is going to tip the scales in the next big election.
Philly is blue. Deep blue. Like, "don't even bother wearing a red hat in certain neighborhoods" blue. But that’s a bit of a lazy answer. If you look at the raw numbers from 2024 and 2025, the story is actually getting kinda complicated.
The Reality of the "Blue Stronghold"
Philadelphia has been the Democratic heartbeat of Pennsylvania for decades. To give you some perspective, there are over 760,000 registered Democrats in the city compared to about 125,000 Republicans. That’s a massive gap. In the 2024 presidential race, Kamala Harris pulled in over 550,000 votes here.
But here’s the thing that made political junkies lose their minds: Donald Trump actually gained ground.
He didn't win the city—not even close—but he picked up about 141,000 votes. That’s more than he got in 2016 or 2020. While the city remains a Democratic fortress, the walls are showing a few cracks in places like Northeast Philly and parts of South Philly.
Why the "Red" Pockets Are Growing
It’s not just one thing. It’s a mix of everything. You’ve got the 58th and 66th wards in the Northeast where Trump actually won the majority. Why? A lot of it comes down to the economy and "law and order" messaging.
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- Cost of Living: People are feeling the squeeze at the Acme and the gas station.
- Public Safety: In neighborhoods where the opioid crisis and crime are front-page news every day, the "tough on crime" rhetoric is landing differently than it used to.
- Demographic Shifts: We’re seeing a noticeable shift in how some Latino and working-class voters are casting their ballots.
Honestly, the idea that every person of color in Philly is a lock for the Democrats is an outdated way of thinking. Voters are becoming more transactional. They want to know what you’ve done for their block lately.
Is Philadelphia a Red or Blue State? (Wait, We Mean PA)
Since we’ve established Philly is a city, let’s talk about how it affects Pennsylvania as a whole. PA is the ultimate "purple" swing state. It’s basically two blue anchors—Philly and Pittsburgh—joined by a "red T" of rural counties in the middle.
In 2024, Trump flipped the state back to red. He won Pennsylvania with about 50.4% of the vote. The irony is that while Philly stayed blue, its turnout was lower than usual. About 60% of registered voters showed up, which was a drop from the 66% we saw in 2020.
When Philly doesn't show up in massive numbers, the rest of the state—the "red" part—takes over.
The Suburban Factor
You can't talk about Philly's politics without looking at the "collar counties": Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware. These used to be Republican territory. Now? They are the new frontline for the Democrats.
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In 2024, while Trump made small gains in the city, the suburbs remained a firewall for the left. However, even in places like Bucks County, the margins are razor-thin. It’s a constant tug-of-war.
The "Corrupt but Content" History
Philly wasn't always a Democratic bastion. Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was actually a Republican machine town. It was so famously Republican that people called it "corrupt but content."
The big flip happened around the New Deal era and was cemented in the 1950s when reform-minded Democrats like Joseph Clark and Richardson Dilworth took over. Since then, the Mayor’s office has been a one-party show.
Does that mean Republicans don’t exist? No. Brian O'Neill has been a Republican staple on the City Council for decades. But he’s a rare breed. Most of the political fighting in Philly happens within the Democratic party—the progressives (think Larry Krasner) vs. the moderates (think Cherelle Parker).
What This Means for You
If you’re looking at the data for 2026 and beyond, don't just look at the colors on the map. Look at the margins.
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The Republican strategy in PA isn't to win Philadelphia. They know they won't. Their goal is to "lose by less." If a Republican candidate can pull 20-25% of the vote in Philly instead of 15%, they usually win the whole state.
On the flip side, Democrats need to do more than just exist in Philly. They have to actually get people to the polls. A blue city with low turnout is a gift to the red parts of the state.
Practical Steps for Voters
- Check Your Registration: Pennsylvania has a closed primary. If you aren't registered with a specific party, you can't vote in the primary elections. Check your status at the PA Voter Services website.
- Watch the 2026 Primaries: The next big date is May 19, 2026. This is where the real direction of the city’s politics is decided.
- Look Locally: Pay attention to the City Commissioners. They run the elections. Right now, it's a bipartisan board with Omar Sabir (D), Lisa Deeley (D), and Seth Bluestein (R).
Philly is a blue city in a purple state that just leaned red. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s never as simple as a single color on a map.
To stay ahead of the next election cycle, start following the Philadelphia City Commissioners updates directly. They provide the most accurate, real-time data on voter registration shifts and turnout trends that actually decide who wins Pennsylvania.