The PA-18 special election is not over yet with vote totals too close to call the race, voters outside the 18th try to vote in the election, Wagner launches new statewide ad, and Trump Jr. campaigned ahead of the 18th district special election. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!
PA-18 Special Election Too Close to Call; Lamb Declares Victory: With 99% of precincts reporting in, Democrat Conor Lamb holds a lead of less than .5% over Republican Rick Saccone. Update: Lamb declared victory over Saccone in an speech early Wednesday morning.
Voters Go To the Polls for PA-18 Special Election, Even Those Outside the District: As voters in the 18th Congressional district head to the polls in today’s special election confusion over who can vote leads to anger by those living outside the district.
Wagner Targets Mango in New Statewide Ad: Gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner’s campaign launched a new statewide TV ad targeting fellow Republican Paul Mango on Obamacare, outsourcing jobs, and state contracts.
Trump Jr. Campaigns For Saccone Day Before Special Election: Donald Trump Jr. made stops in the 18th Congressional district to try to push out the vote for Republican Rick Saccone the day before the special election.
Legislative Election Update
Tribune Review: Lamb declares victory in tight special election with hundreds of ballots uncounted
Post-Gazette: Lamb and Saccone in virtual tie in District 18 special election
Standard-Speaker: Halcovage to seek 9th District seat
LNP: Meteorologist Drew Anderson seeks Republican primary challenge against Lloyd Smucker
Statewide
State House Sound Bites: PA Democrats have near-full candidate slates
StateImpact: EPA deal gives PES, in bankruptcy, some relief from renewable fuel credits
StateImpact: Listen: Why another PA coal mine is closing
StateImpact: On pipeline route, some well owners OK with Sunoco’s water; others are wary
City & State: Super PACs plow millions into final stretch of PA-18 special election
Capitolwire: House panel vote creates uncertainty for organ donor bill.
Philadelphia
Inquirer: Why the tight House race in Western Pa. should worry Trump and the GOP
Inquirer: PA race razor close; Dem Lamb claims win, GOP not conceding
Inquirer: Feds: Ex-aide to U.S. Rep. Bob Brady targeted in murder-for-hire plot
Inquirer: City urging residents to carry naloxone – just in case
Inquirer: Fox News’ Shepard Smith calls out Trump: ‘That’s not true’
WHYY: Despite long odds, Brady sponsoring private bill to keep immigrant family in U.S.
WHYY: In Harrisburg, Capitol police will bar lawmaker Miccarelli from building
Philly Voice: Lamb-Saccone race for U.S. House still too close to call
SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Right to Try legislation fails to pass House
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania congressional race too close to call
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania House votes to trim Legislature, but bill’s fate is unclear
Daily Local: Chesco D.A. Hogan opposes arming teachers in schools
Delco Times: Too close to call but Dem Lamb claims win in Pennsylvania
Delco Times: Primary election candidates gather support
Delco Times: State PUC to vote this week on restarting Sunoco pipeline
Pittsburgh
WESA: Pittsburgh Arts Advocates Make Their Funding Case At The Capitol
Tribune Review: Paul Mango, Republican gubernatorial candidate, coming to Springdale Twp. diner Wednesday
Tribune Review: Confused voters turned away from polling places outside District 18
Tribune Review: News outlets react to 18th District nail-biter
Tribune Review: Conor Lamb, Rick Saccone cast ballots; voter turnout strong in 18th Congressional District contest
Post-Gazette: SPECIAL ELECTION: Conor Lamb and Rick Saccone vie for Congressional seat vacated by Murphy, results too close to call
Post-Gazette: Confused voters try to vote in the special election – except they don’t live in the 18th District
KDKA: Saccone Camp Exploring ‘All Legal Options’ Due To Close Vote
KDKA: Voter Turnout Expected To Be Heavier Than Normal In 18th Congressional District
KDKA: PA’s Political Focus Turns To Governor’s Race; Wolf Wants Four More Years
Southwest
Beaver County Times: Christiana challenges primary opponent’s petitions to knock him off the ballot
Beaver County Times: Razor-thin Pennsylvania special election results draw national attention
Beaver County Times: Democrats Joe McGurk, Alex Andres have their state House nominating petitions challenged
Altoona Mirror: Graham appointed to Tyrone council
NEPA
Times Leader: State Dem chair calls for Miccarelli’s immediate resignation
Times-Tribune: Scranton, Lackawanna County officials discuss reassessment, agree to meet again
Standard-Speaker: West Hazleton council to weed out ‘rotten apples’
South Central
York Daily Record: The race for Pa. governor in 2018: What you need to know about Tom Wolf, challengers
LNP: Rep. Nick Miccarelli should be expelled, activists tell House leaders
WHTM: 5 ways the government blocks you from ‘public’ information in Pennsylvania
Patriot News: Tighter-than-tight Pa. congressional race too close to call
Patriot News: After ‘drastic’ drop in business, Harrisburg restaurateurs pleased free evening parking is back
Patriot News: Pa. state rep’s accuser details alleged rape; he denies allegations
Patriot News: Thousands of dollars in savings possible as Harrisburg hires advisors to renegotiate debt
Patriot News: Under spotlight, special Pa. House race goes to voters
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Lehigh, Kutztown and ESU receive grants to fight sexual assaults
Morning Call: Pennsylvania special election is too close to call in district Trump won by 20 points
Morning Call: In a call to end gun violence, Lehigh Valley students to hold walkouts, speeches and moments of silence
Reading Eagle: Reading Redevelopment Authority deal draws criticism
Reading Eagle: Schuylkill County commissioner running for Congress
Reading Eagle: Rally held at Pennsylvania Capitol for bill to ban abortions based on Down syndrome diagnosis
North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: State College school board votes on Education Foundation agreement as critics worry
Erie Times-News: Erie-area students set for walkouts, but not at Prep, Villa
Erie Times-News: Erie County sees improvement in latest health rankings
Erie Times-News: Wolf talks obstacles, opportunity with Erie’s black community
Opinion
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Pa.’s deepening Medicaid dependency
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Get more docs certified for prescribing medical marijuana
Post-Gazette: Ethics reform, again: Gov. Wolf’s serious and necessary proposals
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf’s ethics plan deserves some straight talk | John Baer
Inquirer: Tell Pennsylvania legislators to seize the chance to enact gun safety laws | Editorial
Inquirer: Students who participate in March 14 school walkout should not be punished | Editorial
Patriot News: There’s a reason they call it ‘protest’: Districts should consider giving students freer rein on National Walkout Day | Editorial
Patriot News: Dems need to target Trump’s kleptocracy to win in 2018 | Nick Field
LNP: GOP candidates for governor should release their tax returns
One Response
Conor Lamb is thoroughly appealing. Articulate, thoughtful and a very strong resume. The new town square of American politics. Marine, Educated Professional, Prosecuting Attorney, and–as the older voter noted—Every Mother’s Dream.
Rick Saccone’s been revolting in this high stakes election. Clearly out of touch and prepackaged. Simply contorted in his responses, and obviously out-matched.
Far more voters are ill at ease with Donald Trump. The chaos candidate indeed. Yet Mr. Saccone bragged he would be The Mini Trump. Presenting himself just as poorly. As in repetitive, vacuous and redundant.
Don’t believe me? Even Republicans abandoned him!!