The Cook Political Report updated its House ratings after the Supreme Court redraw, and the newly drawn 4th district gets two candidates. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!
Lewis Suspends Congressional Bid, Launches State House Campaign: Republican Andrew Lewis announced he is suspending his Congressional campaign after the redraw of the Congressional districts, and is instead running to replace retiring state House Rep. Ron Marsico.
Cook Political Report Shifts House Ratings After New Map Released: The Cook Political Report has updated its House ratings after the state Supreme Court redrew the Congressional map after ruling the old map unconstitutional, changing its rating for seven of the 18 districts.
CeaseFirePA Executive Director Enters Race for New PA-4: CeaseFirePA Executive Director Shira Goodman announced she is entering the race for the new 4th Congressional district.
Daley Announces Run for New PA-4: Democratic State Rep. Mary Jo Daley has decided to jump into the race for the newly drawn 4th Congressional district.
Legislative Election Update
Post-Gazette: Shannon Edwards, linked to Tim Murphy downfall, announces GOP congressional campaign
Statewide
State House Sound Bites: PA GOP appeals to US Supreme Court to halt new congressional maps
State House Sound Bites: Toomey calls for conversation on impeaching PA justices
State House Sound Bites: Some worry PA court’s congressional map dilutes black votes
StateImpact: Ted Cruz blasts renewable fuel standards at Philadelphia refinery
StateImpact: PCN guests to field questions tonight about Gov. Wolf’s severance tax proposal
City & State: Despite harassment allegations, Leach eyes run in redrawn 4th District
City & State: Unions to rally before crucial US Supreme Court decision on dues
City & State: PA lawmakers introduce legislation in response to Parkland shooting
Capitolwire: Gaming Board reboots fourth casino auction.
Capitolwire: PA GOP legislative leaders seek another stay from U.S. Supreme Court in congressional map case.
Capitolwire: Wolf administration says it doesn’t plan to publicize the new congressional map in the way required by PA law.
Capitolwire: House Appropriations focuses on job creation.
Philadelphia
KYW: Toomey Criticizes Pa. Supreme Court For Redistricting Ruling
KYW: Republicans Mount Legal Challenges To Pennsylvania’s New Congressional Map
Inquirer: ‘Jeopardy!’ host Alex Trebek to moderate a Pa. gubernatorial debate
Inquirer: After Florida school shooting, Pat Toomey to press background check bill again
Inquirer: After Florida school shooting, Philly-area students and teachers mobilize
Inquirer: Philly DA Larry Krasner won’t seek cash bail in certain crimes
Inquirer: Top Pa. Republicans ask U.S. Supreme Court to block new map
Inquirer: Woman in affair that led US rep to resign now seeks office
Inquirer: New Pa. congressional district map could be challenged by Common Cause, NAACP on civil rights grounds
Inquirer: Pa. Republican echoes conspiracy theory about school shooting survivors
Inquirer: Ted Cruz calls for ethanol overhaul at Philly refinery rally
Philly Voice: Toomey: Talks on impeaching Pa. Supreme Court justices are inevitable
Philly Voice: Alex Trebek will moderate Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial debate
WHYY: ‘Jeopardy!’ host Alex Trebek to moderate Pa. governor’s debate
WHYY: Indicted Allentown Mayor Pawlowski takes stand to ‘bare his soul’
Philly Mag: DA Krasner Will Drop Cash Bail for Most Non-Violent Crimes
SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Sen. Pat Toomey eyes reviving gun background check legislation
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania bill would expand child abuse reporting requirements
Pottstown Mercury: Rep. Costello calls for impeachment of Pa. justices for approving ‘corrupt’ map
Pottstown Mercury: GOP leaders request hold on Pennsylvania congressional map
Delco Times: Let judges take guns from violent people, Leach says
Delco Times: McGarrigle talks school safety with Delco educators
Pittsburgh
WTAE: GOP leaders to seek halt to Pennsylvania congressional map
WTAE: Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey eyes reviving gun background check legislation
WTAE: Alex Trebek to moderate Pennsylvania governor’s debate
Tribune Review: Rep. Daryl Metcalfe complains online about ‘students’ urging gun control
Tribune Review: Sen. Toomey eyes reviving gun background check legislation
Tribune Review: Alex Trebek will moderate Pa. gubernatorial debate
Tribune Review: Republicans ask Supreme Court to block Pennsylvania congressional map
Tribune Review: Justices out-democrated the Democrats with congressional map, NYT says
Tribune Review: Congressman Keith Rothfus backs banning ‘bump stocks,’ not assault rifles
Tribune Review: Shannon Edwards, linked to resignation of Rep. Tim Murphy, is running for Congress
Post-Gazette: Republicans to file federal challenges today to new Pa. congressional map
Post-Gazette: GOP asks the U.S. Supreme Court to block Pennsylvania redistricting
WESA: Toomey Visits Pennsylvania Factory To Tout GOP Tax Overhaul
WESA: Toomey Rails Against PA Redistricting, Calls For Conversation On Impeaching Justices
WESA: Some Worry PA Court’s Congressional Map Dilutes Black Votes
City Paper: How could Trump’s infrastructure proposal affect cities and towns in Southwestern Pennsylvania?
KDKA: Republican Leaders Ask Courts To Stop Implementation Of Pa. Congressional Map
Southwest
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Barbin running again to ‘help Johnstown’
Altoona Mirror: New map complicates race for Shuster’s seat
Beaver County Times: County commissioners to support Fair Districts effort
Beaver County Times: Gubernatorial candidates to attend Beaver County GOP dinner
NEPA
Times Leader: Yudichak offers seniors help on tax/rent rebate program
Times-Tribune: County grant could save middle school sports, Scranton School District officials say
Times-Tribune: Chambers panel talk to break down new tax law
Standard-Speaker: Rep. Cartwright will miss serving Schuylkill, Carbon
South Central
Patriot News: Toomey seeks expanded gun background checks, other measures in wake of school shooting
Patriot News: Who’s still standing after Pennsylvania’s political earthquake?
Patriot News: Pa.’s Republican legislative leaders seek to block new Congressional map
Patriot News: Pa. lawmaker draws criticism for FB post about activism of school shooting survivors
Patriot News: Winning bid tossed in Pennsylvania casino license auction
Patriot News: Toomey seeks expanded gun background checks, other measures in wake of school shooting
Patriot News: Sen. Toomey: State court ‘grabbed power’ from lawmakers, urges GOP to fight congressional maps
LNP: Toomey eyes reviving gun background check legislation
LNP: Lancaster Stands Up is calling out US Rep. Lloyd Smucker for NRA support, lack of dialogue
LNP: ‘Jeopardy!’ host Alex Trebek to moderate Pennsylvania governor’s debate
Lehigh Valley
Express Times: Oops! Las Vegas Sands rejected for another Pennsylvania casino
WFMZ: Wolf administration helps 2,000 hurricane victims in Pennsylvania
Morning Call: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski: ‘I don’t do pay-to-play’
Morning Call: Democrats blanket Lehigh Valley state legislative seats
Morning Call: Sands Bethlehem’s winning mini-casino bid invalidated by Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania congressional map battle lands in Supreme Court
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie County Council defeats grant-application resolution
Erie Times-News: Erie School Board worried about financial monitor candidate
Erie Times-News: GOP gubernatorial candidate campaigns in Erie
Sun-Gazette: Republican Lincoln Day Dinner set for Saturday
Sun-Gazette: Redistricting causes delays as primary day looms
WJET: Toomey reintroduces gun legislation bill
Bradford Era: Bay selected to serve on state victims services committee
Opinion
Patriot News: In Pa’s increasingly nasty redistricting fight, voters are an afterthought | Editorial
Patriot News: To rebuild our infrastructure, Congress should speed up mining permits | Opinion
Inquirer: How to fix gerrymandering in Pennsylvania? Let the voters decide | Editorial
Inquirer: Pennsylvania Promise: A plan to force people who don’t go to college pay for those who do | Opinion
Tribune Review: Trib Thursday wrap: Let market settle medical-marijuana prices
Post-Gazette: Indictment fever: Reject speculation about the Mueller investigation
Post-Gazette: Bob Casey and Ron Wyden: It’s past time to protect steelworkers
LNP: Continued redistricting mess offers silver lining for voting and engagement [opinion]