Politics PA

Greene commissioner to challenge DeWeese in primary

Greene County Commissioners Chairwoman Pam Snyder this morning announced she will challenge embattled state Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, in the Democratic primary for the seat that he’s held since 1976.

County man to declare candidacy

Allen Griffith of Myerstown is expected to officially announce his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the 17th Congressional District seat, now held by Democrat Tim Holden. Griffith, 65, is the director of a nonprofit Christian ministry. He is expected to make the announcement at the historic Lantern Lodge, 411 N. College St., Myerstown, in the Dagmar Hall located above the restaurant, at 7 p.m. tonight. The announcement was originally scheduled for Saturday but was postponed because of the snow. The district includes all of Lebanon, Dauphin and Schuylkill counties and parts of Berks and Perry counties.

Leaders in Pennsylvania Senate weigh new campaigning rules

State Senate leaders hope to vote next month on proposed ethics rules designed to brighten the line between legislative and campaign work for senators and their staffers. The bipartisan package would set in writing prohibitions such as bans on Senate employees conducting campaign activity on work time, conducting campaign business from Senate offices and sharing constituent mailing lists or databases with campaign committees.

Barletta slow in repaying campaign debts

In November, Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta spent $8,000 to mail thousands of letters appealing for contributions to pay off debt from two previous congressional campaigns.He said he needed to eliminate some debt before running for Congress again.”I know you understand how important it is going forward to paying (sic) off last year’s debt before we start our fight again,” Mr. Barletta wrote. He has not paid off a cent.

N.J. says onus for rail funding rests on Pennsylvania

You still can’t get there from here. While work has gotten under way on an initial seven-mile stretch of route in New Jersey, much more money and political effort are needed to restore passenger rail service from Northeast Pennsylvania to New York City’s doorstep – and the onus may fall largely on the Keystone State.

Storm clouds for Rendell’s final budget

Just one month after wrapping up last year’s budget, Gov. Rendell is poised to deliver his eighth and final budget address Tuesday in the shadow of fiscal and political storm clouds. With the state still struggling to rebound from the recession, Rendell faces new pressures to increase spending and few, if any, places to turn for pain-free sources of revenue to balance the books.

PoliticsPA: Saidel wins lt. gov endorsement

Former Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel easily won the state Democratic Party’s endorsement Saturday, defeating former Commonwealth Court Judge Doris Ribner-Smith.

PoliticsPA: Williams hasn’t declared yet, but wants Hoeffel to drop out

He still needs to decide whether his candidacy can have the necessary support, both structurally and financially, before declaring, he said, and he wants to be “methodical” in his evaluation

PoliticsPA: Doherty doesn’t receive nomination

Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty didn’t receive a nomination for the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial endorsement Saturday, fueling speculation of recent rumors he will seek the lieutenant governor position instead.

PoliticsPA: Williams forms campaign committee, raises $500k

The senator hasn’t decided if he’ll run for governor yet, but the formation of the committee is another step toward a campaign.

PoliticsPA: Sestak, Specter engage in heated debate

Joe Sestak and Arlen Specter took the gloves off Friday night during their first debate.

The two Democratic Senate candidates, sitting side-by-side, traded at-times sharp criticism during a roughly 30-minute session that featured questions on health care, Iran and women’s rights. The debate was hosted by the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee Women’s Caucus at the party’s winter meeting and was attended by about 100 committee members and activists.

Specter campaign fined for excessive donations

WASHINGTON – The Federal Election Commission announced Thursday that it has fined the campaign of Sen. Arlen Specter $10,900 and ordered it to repay $37,950 in excessive contributions from his 2004 re-election campaign.

Sestak’s tack vs. Specter is off-course

Senate candidate Joe Sestak has visited 26 Pennsylvaniacounties in 26 days, appearing at more than 230 events.

PoliticsPA: Thirty-three local Ds endorse Trivedi

Trivedi, a physician and Iraq war veteran, now has the support of a 103 Democratic officials, according to his campaign.

PoliticsPA: Ravenstahl backs Specter

Democratic U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter on Thursday received the endorsement of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, just days before the incumbent senator seeks the state party’s endorsement at its annual winter meeting.