<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A Pennsylvania judge ruled on September 5, 2026, that a Green Party candidate, Andrew Tupone, be removed from the ballot after the state party filed a lawsuit. The party alleged that Tupone was a "spoiler candidate" intended to distract progressive voters.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tupone had sought to run for the state’s 7th Congressional District against Democratic nominee Bob Brooks and incumbent Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA). However, voter records indicated that Tupone was registered as a Republican for several years and had participated in GOP primaries before changing his registration.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Commonwealth Court Judge Stella M. Tsai granted the objection from the Green Party of Pennsylvania. The party contended that Tupone misled voters into believing he was a candidate backed by the Green Party, asserting that many voters who signed his petition would not have done so had they known he lacked the party's support. The party also claimed that Tupone's candidacy was intended to siphon votes from Brooks.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tupone announced plans to appeal Tsai’s ruling to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He stated, "The establishment parties are fighting to keep me off the ballot but I’m not backing down. I will continue this fight and appeal this decision because the people of the 7th congressional district deserve a real choice and a true progressive candidate who will stand up for them. This fight isn’t over. I’m going to keep fighting for the voters to have an option and for the representation our community deserves," according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Tupone had previously voted for and was registered with the Republican Party, switching to the Democratic Party in February 2026 before later changing his registration to the Green Party.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He has defended his registration history, asserting that his political positions have remained consistent. He claimed to be challenging the establishment of both major parties and running on a platform focused on universal healthcare and opposition to Israel.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite Tupone's removal from the race, the 7th Congressional District remains a competitive contest, with Sabato’s Crystal Ball recently changing its classification from "leans Republican" to "toss-up."</p>