10/16: House Races to Watch

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President: Harris +0.8% | Senate: Casey +3.7%

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Top Story

1. These 5 Pennsylvania Congressional Races Could Determine House Control

“With the U.S. House narrowly divided, contests for Pennsylvania’s seats will be critical to control of the chamber in this year’s election, even as the state also plays a big role in determining control of the White House and Senate.

The magic number of pickups is four for Democrats to take control of the House, magnifying the stakes of each House race.” (AP)

Elsewhere

Q3 Congressional Fundraising Numbers. “Here are the Congressional fundraising numbers for the third quarter (Q3), courtesy of the Federal Elections Commission.” (PoliticsPA)

Harris Just Comes Out and Says It: Donald Trump Is F–king Nuts. “Kamala Harris used a rally in Pennsylvania on Monday to concisely lay out the reason voters must cast their ballot for her, and not her opponent, come November 5.” (Vanity Fair)

Suddenly, the Electoral College Is Posing a Problem for Trump. “Trump has a problem. Even if he wins over a large number of nonwhite voters, it may not help him secure the presidency. It may, in fact, make no meaningful difference in his quest for 270 electoral votes. Trump is, ironically, crashing into the same roadblock that has stymied Democrats for decades now: The Electoral College overvalues white votes at the expense of racial minorities, giving white voters considerably more influence over the presidential race.” (Slate)

Why Philadelphia Won’t Finish Mail Ballots on Election Day, But Pittsburgh Will. “An analysis shows that Allegheny County is much faster at processing mail ballots than Philadelphia, likely because of differences in equipment and staffing.” (Votebeat)

 

State

2. Casey, McCormick Spar Over ‘Lies,’ Abortion, Border Security

“While more animated than their first U.S. Senate debate, Tuesday night’s rematch between Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger Dave McCormick offered much of the same substance.

It featured Casey repeatedly trying to link McCormick’s days as a hedge fund executive to China, Iran and Saudi Arabia deals, while McCormick countered by tying Casey’s name to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and warning of what might come with Democrats controlling the Senate.” (PennLive)

Elsewhere

‘Not a Farmer’: PA Senate Candidate David McCormick Receives Tax Breaks For Estate in Columbia County. “A state law was designed to help farmers keep their land amid rising property values. Why is David McCormick who himself says “is not a farmer,” benefitting?” (WHYY)

Why Sen. Bob Casey Has Changed His Positions on Abortion and Same-Sex Marriage — And Why His Opponent Doesn’t Talk About It. “Casey has changed from a candidate seemingly molded from the clay of Pennsylvania’s famously moderate politics to a standard-issue congressional Democrat on almost all matters of policy.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

PA Attorney General Candidates Debate ‘Smash and Grab’ Crime, Social Media Problems, Scams. “The major party candidates for state attorney general spent most of a one-hour televised debate Tuesday night banging away at a full slate of issues with a limited amount of banging away at each other.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Supreme Court Tosses Out Decision Letting 18-Year-Olds Carry Guns During Emergencies in Pennsylvania. “The Supreme Court on Tuesday tossed out a decision allowing 18-year-olds to openly carry guns during emergencies in Pennsylvania. It lets stand a ban on people aged 18 to 20 carrying guns in public during a declared state of emergency.” (AP)

 

Around The Commonwealth

3. Small-Town Pennsylvania Is Changing, and Democrats See Opportunity

Discover Lancaster | Pennsylvania Dutch Country | Amish Attractions, Shopping, Dining

“Exactly where the partisan balance lies in this stretch of Southeastern Pennsylvania could determine the direction of the country this November.

As the political parties have realigned along educational divides, the state has been changing, too.

The presidential race this year in Pennsylvania could be a test of which has advanced further: the partisan realignment trends that benefit Mr. Trump, or the demographic changes that help the Democrats.” (New York Times)

Elsewhere

Here’s Why Kamala Harris and Donald Trump Are Coming to Philly Suburbs: We’re Purple. “Bucks County is a target for both campaigns because it’s not only the most purple Philadelphia collar county in terms of past election results, but also in terms of registered voters.” (Bucks County Courier Times)

The 24 Counties That Matter Most in ’24. “There’s the Biden lovers of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Erie and Northampton — all places where Harris may struggle to match the numbers of her former running mate. But in Montgomery, Chester, Lancaster, Cumberland and Allegheny, Harris could expand Biden’s margins. Meanwhile, Trump will try to grow his edge in Lehigh and Berks. And there’s Bucks.” (NOTUS)

SD-49: Laughlin, Wertz Debate in State Senate Contest. “The candidates for the 49th District seat in the Pennsylvania Senate met on the debate stage Monday evening in Erie, as incumbent Republican Dan Laughlin and Democratic challenger Jim Wertz made their case to the voters.” (PoliticsPA)

Corrected Luzerne County 119th District Ballots Expected to be Mailed Wednesday. “New Nov. 5 general election ballots with the correct spelling of state Rep. Alec Ryncavage’s name have been sent to the printer and are expected to be mailed to 6,700 impacted voters on Wednesday.” (Wilkes-Barre Times Leader)

 

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

 

 

1 Thing

5. Inside the Weird World of Corn Mazes

What it Takes to Make a Corn Maze in Paradise | Farming and Agricultural News | lancasterfarming.com

“People have been experiencing the twists and turns of mazes for millennia, as architectural defenses intended to slow and confuse the enemy, for walking meditations, and yes, as entertainment. Hedge mazes, with dense greenery that towered over players, became popular with European aristocrats in the 17th century, heralding the future fun of the corn maze.

The modern corn maze—in which visitors are usually tasked with finding an exit or solving a variety of challenges—is a fairly recent invention, created only in 1993.” (Atlas Obscura)

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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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