Rohrer and LaRue pass on PA-6, McCord picks up two IBEW endorsements and Wolf gets the backing of State Rep. Dwight Evans. Good morning, politicos. Here’s the buzz.

PA-Gov: IBEW Local 163 and Local 81 Endorse McCord: Two IBEW chapters back the State Treasurer’s bid for governor.

PA-13: Adcock Seeks to Turn Deep Blue Seat Red: The Republican businessman revealed that he will run for the seat held by the retiring Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz.

PA-6: Rohrer and LaRue Decline Run: Former Senate candidate and New Democratic Coalition spokesman decide not to run for Congress.

PA-Gov: Rep. Dwight Evans Endorses Wolf: Philadelphia state rep. backs Tom Wolf for governor.

PA-12: Hugya Picks Up In Q4: Democratic challenger John Hugya raised exponentially more money in the fourth quarter than the third.

PA-8: Naughton Endorsed by Dem PAC: The Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District received the backing of the Democratic Advancement PAC.

PAGOP Hires Sarah Schultz As Youth Outreach Director: The Pennsylvania Republicans hired a youth outreach director this week.

PA-9: Halvorson Falls Behind in Fundraising: Tea Party candidate for Pennsylvania’s 9th congressional district raised little money according to the FEC.

Legislative Election Updates:

SD-26: The Delaware County Republican Party Thursday announced that it has endorsed Delaware County Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle, as the Republican candidate for the Pennsylvania Senate in the 26th District.

“Tom McGarrigle, hands down, is the best qualified candidate for Senate,” said Andy Reilly, Chairman of the Delaware County Republican Party. “He comes from a blue collar family, and through hard work and perseverance has built a successful small business. He has experience balancing government budgets as both a member of Delaware County Council and a township commissioner, background he can use to help to control and manage state spending. Just as important, he has a record of getting things done, working with diverse coalitions to build support for initiatives that have created jobs and improved our communities. He is exactly the type of consensus builder we need in Harrisburg.”

This seat is open after Republican incumbent Senator Edwin Erickson announced his retirement. The likely Democratic nominee is John Kane, 53, the business manager of the Plumbers Union Local 690 which serves the Philadelphia region.

The district includes parts of Delaware and Chester Counties. Its party registration is 49.5% Republican, 39.4% Democratic. But in 2012 – along the lines that will be used in 2014 – it went 56% for Barack Obama and Kathleen Kane, and 58% for Sen. Bob Casey.

HD-122: Democrat Patti Borger announced Thursday that she is seeking to represent Carbon County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the next election. She owns and operates a tree farm in Mahoning Township. She is active in Carbon County Democratic politics, serving as a member of the County Democratic Executive Board and as Area Vice-Chair for the Lehighton Area.

“If elected, I will bring my leadership experience as a business owner and a farmer to the House of Representatives,” Borger said. “I will work to bring good family-supporting jobs to Carbon County. I will work to restore funding to our schools and stop the rise in property taxes. I want to make sure that our seniors are not pushed out of their homes by rising property taxes. And finally, as an avid outdoors person, I will protect our water, our environment and our game and wildlands. These natural gifts are what make Carbon County unique and beautiful.”

If she wins the primary, she’ll face incumbent Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon).

Statewide
PA Independent: Education rising to the top of the legislative agenda in election year
PA Independent: Report points to PA’s fiscal challenges heading into tough budget
PA Independent: ‘Backroom political maneuvering’ cost taxpayers $200K, candidate says
StateImpactPA: Municipalities defend Pa. Supreme Court ruling on Act 13
StateImpactPA: DNCR grapples with noisy gas compressor in state forests
Capitolwire: Reject state’s Act 13 reconsideration request, lawyers say
Capitolwire: Point of Order: Impasse between House, Senate regarding charter school reform continues

Philadelphia
PhillyClout: Controller uncovers $14M in bad checks returned
PhillyClout: Commerce Dept COO stepping down to join United Way
The Big Tent: Ward leaders back Margolies in the 13th CD Democratic primary
WHYY Newsworks: For Philly economy, Comcast tower will be bigger than its 59 floors
WHYY Newsworks: Dwight Evans backs Wolf in Pa. governor’s race
Inquirer: Corbett, Kane removed from same-sex marriage suit
Inquirer: Heating program for elderly poor running out of money
Philly.com: PA bill to legalize medical marijuana named after former PA governor
City Paper: Can legalizing pot win the governor’s race?
City Paper: Unions: Big attack on Pa. public employees planned for 2014
City Paper: Central alums call on students to protest Corbett visit
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia Lawmakers Examine The Future of Internet-Delivered Doctoring

SEPA
AP: August trial set in Pa. turnpike corruption case involving Chesco man
AP: Pa. game agency names Hough new executive director
Pottstown Mercury: Phoenixville council appoints new member to fill vacated seat
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. House bills would make public education spending more transparent
Bucks County Courier Times: Casino revenue down 1.4 percent in 2013
Montgomery Media: Democratic forum to showcase congressional candidates

Pittsburgh
Urban Media Today: Mayor Peduto bans elected officials’ names on city property with first executive order
Post-Gazette: Peduto not ready to name Pittsburgh’s public safety director yet
Post-Gazette: Pa. auditor general to scrutinize state Department of Education
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh firefighters ask Corbett to end state’s financial oversight of city
KDKA: New Mayor Bill Peduto Making His Presence Known

Southwest
Beaver County Times: NAACP in Pittsburgh supporting health care bills
Beaver County Times: 1.5M Pennsylvanians live close to large amounts of hazardous ammonia
Beaver County Times: Bill seeks to expand tax development program
Altoona Mirror: Corbett, Kane dropped from gay marriage case

NEPA
Times Leader: Toohil objects to Dem coming into her district
The Times Leader: Lawton announces two division head nominees
The Times Leader: Staff cuts ripple across Luzerne County courts
Times-Tribune: Commissioner, solicitor fire back at Volpe
Times-Tribune: Scranton’s new council to vote on 2014 tax rates, mayor’s appointments
Times-Tribune: Democratic senators want to ramp up improvement zones program
Standard Speaker: Councilman questions legal adviser’s appointment
Standard Speaker: County council drops motion to reopen budget
Pocono Record: Pocono Mtn. board member proposes tax decrease in budget

South Central
Patriot-News: Auditor General will review the Department of Education, saying mismanagement has been missed
Patriot-News: Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has a new acting director
Patriot-News: York Co. commissioner rips timing of special state Senate election
Patriot-News: More money for treatment, more taxing options, a new 911 law: What Pa. counties want
Carlisle Sentinel: Pa. receives C+ overall for emergency care
Carlisle Sentinel: Hershey, PinnacleHealth select adviser to explore ‘expanded relationship’

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Northampton County Judge Edward Smith clears congressional panel as nominee to federal bench
Morning Call: Southern Lehigh to decide fate of elementary schools
Morning Call: Perdue plant to close, slashing 650 jobs
Morning Call: Toxic release in Upper Macungie targeted by EPA
Express-Times: Northampton County executive names candidates for economic development, human services
Express-Times: Allentown board, once critical of city, finds vacancies long unfilled

North by Northwest
Sun-Gazette: Board asks how Corbett’s Healthy PA will impact consumers
Sun-Gazette: Partnership grants $500,000 to Community Arts Center
Sun-Gazette: Authority to add more downtown parking
Daily Times: Penn State trustees governance committee wants to entice more
Daily Times: On Centre: Centre Region | Some trails closing, new ones opening in Rothrock State Forest

Opinion
Delco Daily Times: Editorial: Illegal gun transaction law sends clear message
Daily Local News: Legalizing gay marriage in Pa.: It’s time.
Express-Times: Upper Mount Bethel’s cash-for-fertilizer program is no bargain
Post-Gazette: Bet on politics: The new lottery director has scant expertise
Post-Gazette: Open city: Rudiak’s ordinance promises a wealth of data

Blogs
Commonwealth Foundation: Fact: Taxpayer Resources Are Being Used for Politics
Above Average Jane: Old News (Unfortunately): All-Male Congressional Subcommittee Decides on Women’s Health
John Hanger: EPA Texas Case Shows Why PA Needs New Office To Independently Investigate Drilling Complaints
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Will Sletvold Be Confirmed?
Media Trackers: 5 Biased Talking Points Used By Pennsylvania Unions
Keystone Politics: Saving Money By Cutting Out the Politicians
Keystone Politics: PA GOP Hosting “Watermelon at the Mercy of Blacks” Governor For Lincoln Day Dinner
Keystone Politics: Sell Easton’s Governor Wolf Building Parking Lot!