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1/20 Ups & Downs

Mark Critz. The Johnstown congressman pulled in a couple of good labor endorsements this week – helpful in his primary battle with Rep. Jason Altmire.  Then, he got credit for saving 700 mining jobs (not a bad headline). Finally, there’s the Altmire camp’s recent internal poll showing him with a 50 to 34 percent edge on Critz. It’s great news for Altmire at first blush, but the new district takes 66 percent of his territory, just 28 percent of Critz’s.
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Steve Welch. He earned the Governor’s support this week, as Tom Corbett called SEPA GOP politicos to whip votes for him. Plus the Chester County tech entrepreneur got the chance to blast Bob Casey on PIPA, a high-profile bill about the internet (talk about home field advantage). However, the SEPA GOP caucus made the highly unusual decision not to have a vote Wednesday night – in part because they’re peeved over John Rafferty, in part because Welch is a relative newcomer. The absence of a strong SEPA straw poll showing prevented Welch from taking Corbett’s support to the bank, and adding momentum heading into state committee.

Tim Burns. On Jan. 7, Burns’ campaign said it would announce its fourth quarter fundraising numbers in the coming week. It’s been two weeks. Sure, the filing deadline isn’t until Jan. 31 (after the GOP state committee’s endorsement vote), but state committee members are already drawing their own conclusions. His main competitor for the PAGOP endorsement, Steve Welch, has $1 million on hand. His southwestern competitor, Tom Smith, has $4.4 million. The pressure is on for Saturday’s SWPA caucus, Burns’ home turf.

Reddit. The popular social news site joined several other websites this week in solidarity against SOPA and PIPA, two bills that many techies argued would fracture the internet’s crucial DNS. Not only has Congress backed away from the bills at full speed, but Reddit’s link to our story that Rep. Tim Holden had dropped his co-sponsorship of SOPA gave PoliticsPA its number one day of traffic all time. Thanks!

Todd Platts. The six-term York Congressman surprised a lot of people this this week with his decision to retire at the end of this term, but he leaves office smelling like (white) roses. He’s earned a record of a hard working, open-minded pragmatist, who made good on his belief that Congress should have term limits. This up also goes to advertising sales reps in York County, who just got an unexpected windfall from this spring’s GOP primary battle royale.

One Response

  1. Not sure I’ve ever seen anyone down 16 points get an up arrow before. Critz is lowering the bar!

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