Good morning politicos, we’re back! Here’s the Buzz. Election season is on us in earnest, and we have tons of news to start your week.

Quick side note: thanks for your patience on Friday; PoliticsPA’s server is upgraded and up to the task of primary week traffic.

Q1 Fundraising: Winners, and Losers: The numbers are in. Here’s what every congressional candidate in PA raised between January 1 and April 4, 2012, plus our list who exceeded expectations and who fell behind.

4/13 Ups & Downs: Hope you enjoyed your Friday the 13th, politicos. We have some presidential, some local and some Harrisburg names on this week’s list.

GOP Presidential Candidates will fan out across Pa. this week. Fnd out where they will be and when in our open thread here.

Sen. Casey Has Strong 1st Quarter; Smith Outraises Welch: In the race for U.S. Senator Bob Casey’s seat, Republican rival Tom Smith has outspent and out-fundraised key opponent, Steve Welch. According to the Associated Press, Smith reported $2 million in his campaign account after spending almost $3 million in January, February, and March of 2012.

Altmire Stays On The Attack in New Ad: Rep. Jason Altmire isn’t taking this foot off the gas. His latest television ad keeps up the attack on Rep. Mark Critz’s votes against Dodd Frank, his ‘present’ vote on the Tea Party budget, and his vote to defund Planned Parenthood.

Altmire Using GOP Lobbying Firm for Phonebank: The Altmire campaign invited DC supporters to phonebanks in the District. It turns out that the event is being held at the office of Potomac Strategic Development, a lobbying group with very strong ties to Republican candidates, campaigns, and initiatives.

Dems Try To Put Freed On Record on Ultrasound Mandate: It’s not likely to ever become law in PA, but it’s certain to be a campaign issue. After it emerged as an issue in the Democratic Attorney General primary, the party seeks to put Republican hopeful Dave Freed on the map on the stillborn ultrasound mandate legislation.

Sestak Backs Lee in PA-4: Ken Lee hopes to get by with a little help from his friends. The Democrat seeking to replace retiring Rep. Todd Platts scored the support of former Rep. Joe Sestak Friday. Lee had spoken as a surrogate for Sestak during his Senate bid, and even lent him office space in Harrisburg.

Clinton Headlines Rally for Kane: Bill Clinton took the stage at Upper Moreland High School in Montgomery County Thursday evening amid an enthusiastic crowd. He stood with Kathleen Kane, the former Lackawanna County prosecutor running for Pennsylvania Attorney General.

Murphy Ad Touts Support from SEPA Dems: Attorney General hopeful Patrick Murphy’s “Murphy for PA” campaign has released a new TV advertisement in the Philadelphia area highlighting endorsements from a number of prominent southeast Pa. politicos.

Auditor General Update: Three men are seeking the Auditor General seat currently occupied by Jack Wagner, who cannot seek re-election due to term limits: Democrat Eugene DePasquale and Republicans John Maher and Frank Pinto. DePasquale and Maher are also running unopposed in re-election bids for their current House seats.

Corbett Blames School Boards for Financial Woes: Under fire from critics across the state for slashing hundreds of millions of public education’s funding from the state budget, Governor Tom Corbett suggested Wednesday that the school districts are to blame for their own financial crisis.

Holden Ducking Debates: Despite a congressional recess, Rep. Tim Holden wouldn’t consent to a debate with challenger Matt Cartwright. He drew a rebuke from the Times Leader editorial board and TL columnist Kevin Blaum. Wrote the ed board: “Debating is a time-honored part of our democratic process. To thumb your nose at it is an affront not only to Cartwright, but also to potential voters who value a face-to-face airing of the issues. For them, comparison charts in the newspaper and snippets from the candidates’ respective campaign websites won’t suffice. Nor should they.”

Tribune Review Endorses Christian for Senate: In a piece that explains its process of elimination, the Trib ed board backed David Christian: “Mr. Christian is a highly decorated Vietnam veteran of Bucks County who went on to serve his country admirably advocating for veterans’ issues in and out of government. This self-described ‘Ronald Reagan Republican’ now is an executive for a Philadelphia hydraulics manufacturing firm that serves American aircraft carriers.”

York Dispatch PA-4 Poll: Reilly 17.8 percent; Perry 12.6 percent; Summers 5.1 percent; 56.5 percent undecided.

When you bash the Trib, you can expect a response. Altmire’s campaign sent out a fundraising email based on the Pittsburgh Tribune Review’s endorsement of Mark Critz. Colin McNickle of the Tribune Review ed board has a few choice words for them.

Legislative Election Updates

SD-9: Roger Howard, the GOP challenger to Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware), wants the caucus’s audits released to the public. “Should I have the honor to serve, I’ll push for full disclosure of the audit report,” he said. “I’m accountable to taxpayers, so I have no problem with the books being opened for scrutiny.”

SD-29: The Republican Herald says the debate between state Sen. Dave Argall and Brian Rich turned negative on Friday.

SD-31: Sen. Pat Vance is an advocate for families. Specifically, the families of her official staffers. The conservative group CAP, which backs Vance’s primary opponent Andrew Shaw, flagged this mailer (PDF), featuring two staffers. “Less than a month ago another Senator was convicted of using her staff for campaign work. Yet, Senator Vance evidently had no problem featuring her official staff in a campaign mailing,” said CAP ED Leo Knepper.

SD-37: The LRC is doing Rep. Mark Mustio a favor. Capitolwire reports that the redistricting commission drew both of his GOP opponents in the race to replace retiring Sen. John Pippy OUT of the 37th district (Raja and Sue Means).

SD-49: The Democrats vying for the seat of retiring Sen. Jane Earll (R-Erie) debated Friday. Saturday afternoon, Wiley hosted a fundraising event at former Erie contender for the world lightweight boxing championship, Lou Bizzarro’s Ringside Restaurant. Bizzarro is the grandfather of Ryan Bizzarro, a candidate currently running for PA State Rep. in the 3rd District. The 49th District Democrats will debate in hopes for the senate seat again this Tuesday and Thursday. Thursday’s debate will be televised on Erie’s WQLN station.

HD-20: Democratic Primary Candidate Mark Purcell wrote an op-ed entitled, “It’s Past Time For New Ideas in Harrisburg” in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

HD-22: The Pa. Supreme Court tossed Shawn Lunny off the ballot, meaning that Democrats have a 1 on 1 race in the special election to replace Chelsa Wagner (D-Allegheny). Except that it may be too late to remove his name from the ballot on the voting machines. In any case, Erin Molchany will continue to try to beat Marty Schmotzer in the primary – highlighting a time he took $50K from the Allegheny Clerk of Courts office to pay down gambling debts. Meanwhile, Schmotzer is the Dems’ candidate in the special election, and endorsed by the Allegheny Dems and Labor Council.

HD-39: Post-Gazette Endorses Democratic former state Rep. Dave Levdansky and Republican Shauna D’Alessandro. Pa Watercooler takes issue with the endorsements.

HD-50: Featured on NPR’s Weekend Edition, Scott Detrow takes a look at Rep. Bill DeWeese’s campaign, likely to be success despite his recent conviction.

HD-82: Rep. Adam Harris (R-Juniata) is facing 2 GOP challengers, James Knepp and James Felmlee (we saw a number of Felmlee signs driving down 322 on Saturday). Harris’s colleague, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, penned a nice op-ed in the Lewistown Sentinel on his behalf: “I have watched, with admiration, how Adam Harris has really grown in the job during the past 10 years. Adam Harris is not a pretentious, flamboyant politician but, he is very bright, methodical and deliberative in his work as a state representative.”

HD-92: The Patriot-News checks in on the five-man scramble for the seat of Rep. Scott Perry (R-York), who is seeking a seat in Congress.

HD-102: Meet Rep. RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon) and the two Republicans seeking to unseat her in the primary: Joe Eisenhauer and Tom Hawk. The Patriot News reports.

HD-134: State of play between Ryan Mackenzie and Arlene Dabrow for the Republican nomination as reported on by The Express-Times. WFMZ has more on the race.

HD-182: Brian Sims, the attorney challenging Rep. Babette Josephs (D-Phila) boasted Friday that he had raised nearly $150K. “With over 650 unique contributors, we have raised more money from more donors than anyone else has in the history of this race,” he said.

National:
AP: Romney: Santorum will maintain key role in GOP
AP: Geithner: Romney claim on job losses “ridiculous”
Patriot-News: Some in PA GOP seem to back Bob Casey quietly
Tribune Review: Santorum owes $922K, $489 of it to Brabender-Cox
Tribune Review: Female voters problem for Obama
The Caucus: For Obama, going positive may be more difficult this time around
The Caucus: Bachmann’s praise of Romney falls short of endorsement
The Caucus: Romney warns gun lobby of second Obama term
NY Times: Obama, like Buffett, paid lower tax rate than his secretary
USA Today: Obama would push major immigration reform in second term
USA Today: Obama leads Romney in electoral votes
The Hill: Santorum says his daughter Bella is a ‘life member’ of the NRA
The Hill: Santorum doesn’t blame the media, but says they made fundraising very difficult
The Hill: Gingrich would ‘love’ Santorum’s backing
Pennsylvania Ave: They’re baaaack– Romney, Gingrich, Paul, and even Santorum expected in Pennsylvania next week
Politico: Newt’s desperate measures
National Journal: Santorum’s progress in GOP race is historic

Statewide:
AP: Quotes from the 5 GOP candidates for U.S. Senate
AP: Dems Murphy, Kane spending heavily in AG race
AP: In PA primary, good year for incumbent state Reps. & Sens.
AP: Would-be Casey opponents struggle to noticed
Inquirer: Loan still drawing groans for Senate hopeful (Welch)
Morning Call: Candidate views: Pennsylvania Attorney General
Capitol Ideas: The Sunday Brunch: Meet the Democrats for Attorney General
State House Sound Bites: Mandatory ultrasound bill still animates AG race
StateImpactPA: Conservative PAC launches anti-Obama ad in coal regions
Capitolwire: Smith says he attacks to defend. Rohrer, Welch say he’s misleading voters
Capitolwire: Compromise map moves Sen. Orie to Poconos, Rep. George seat to Philly suburbs

Philadelphia:
Philadelphia Inquirer: Obama, Romney camps ready for digital warfare
Philadelphia Inquirer: Social media and the 2012 election
Philadelphia Inquirer: “Candidate for the rest of us” in 7th district
Philadelphia Inquirer: Echoes of ‘08 in Kane vs. Murphy
PhillyClout: Local leaders to hold statewide candidates forum, share info on voter ID law
Fox 29: Bachmann closer to endorsing Romney
WHYY Newsworks: Dems in Pa. attorney general race continue to focus on ultrasound issue
WHYY Newsworks: Bill Clinton campaigns for Kathleen Kane in attorney general’s race

SEPA:
phillyBurbs.com: Some congressional campaigns raising big $, others not so much

Pittsburgh:
Post-Gazette: Notes from the Ed Board meeting with Rep. Tim Murphy & Evan Feinberg
Post-Gazette: Voter information now available online
Tribune Review: Local Obama supporters rally for ‘Buffett Rule’
Tribune Review: Senate Republican primary an open contest with five candidates
Roll Call: Altmire’s finances still ahead of Critz in primary
Early Returns: Raja, Means drawn out of new 37th
Early Returns: Tough new Altmire ad hits Critz votes
Early Returns: Smith has $2M COH; Welch, $390K
Early Returns: PA3: Kelly $310K, Eaton $16K
Early Returns: Clinton stumps for Kane in SEPA
Tribune Review: Candidates take their campaigns to the neighborhoods
Tribune Review: Local Obama supporters rally for “Buffett Rule”
Tribune Review: Local opposition to Obama healthcare mandate growing
Tribune Review: Court removes Democrat from 22nd legislative primary ballot
Post-Gazette: Redistricting forces nasty battle in new 12th district
Post-Gazette: Group of Pa. Republicans wields power in key votes
Post-Gazette: Feinberg attacks Murphy’s record
Post-Gazette: Bill Clinton endorses Critz in congressional primary race

Southwest:
JD Prose, Beaver Co Times: Boring debates take back seat to Clinton nod
Daily American: U.S. Senate candidate campaigns in Somerset
Tribune-Democrat: Altimire continues to lead Critz in funding
Observer-Reporter: Area lawmaker in race for Pa. post
Daily Courier (Fayette County): Westmoreland GOP’s faithful rally to congressional pep talks

NEPA:
Times Leader: Holden gets Sen. Casey’s backing in writing
Times Tribune: Holden says he’s ready
Citizens Voice: Holden, Cartwright rack up big spending on campaigns
Citizens Voice: Carney backs Holden
Citizens Voice: Holden admits 17th District race is tough

Lehigh Valley:
Morning Call: Eaton outraises Daugherty ahead of primary
Morning Call: U.S. Senate candidates Welch hosts Gov. Corbett at Ben Franklin TechVentures
Morning Call: Holden under attack from PACS
WFMZ: Voters in Pa. 134th will vote twice in April 24 primary
Express Times: Mackenzie, Dabrow to vie for Republican nomination in 134th District primary
Express Times: Democratic candidates spar over Northampton County for 17th Congressional District seat

South Central:
York Dispatch: YD Poll: Reilly leads Perry in PA-4
Patriot-News takes a look at Rep. Barletta, and introduces him to his new midtstate constituents
AP: Heated primary battles in Pa. Congressional races

North by Northwest:
WICU12: Sean Wiley, Scutella, Harkins, & Pitzer debate for the 49th Senate seat
Erie Times-News: Kelly, Eaton prepare for November in 3rd District race for Congress
Erie Times-News: State Senate race in 49th could come down to experience
Sun Gazette: State candidates ponder, should government be involved in health care?
Lewistown Sentinel: U.S. Senate candidate visits Lewistown
Sharon Herald: Rally urges Obama defeat

Opinions:
York Daily Record: Summers, Reilly are best of PA-4 field
Kevin Farris, Inquirer: The bipartisan Pat Toomey
Colin McNickle, Tribune Review: Angela’s anguish, revealed (Altmire’s CM)
Anne McGraw Reeves, Patriot News: Once Harrisburg’s Young Turks, lawmakers have fallen into disgrace
Scott Perry, Patriot News: Repeal health care law and reduce spending
Tribune Review: Primary 2012: Nominate Romney
Patriot-News: Op/Ed: Congress candidate Chris Reilly: We need to get spending problem under control
Observer Reporter: Maher best choice for Auditor General
Altoona Mirror: Opinion: Write-ins offer choice
Philadelphia Inquirer: Christie will get GOP nod in 2016
Philadelphia Inquirer: The bipartisan Pat Toomey
Philly Tribune: Winners never quit, but losers…
Pottstown Mercury: Only voters can stop insidious spread of socialism
Pottstown Mercury: Questions for photo ID religions exceptions are invasive
Pottstown Mercury: Obama’s attack on Republicans was unmitigated gall
phillyBurbs.com: Whou should serve in the 153rd district?
Politico: Conservatives must target Senate, not White House
Sun Gazette: Voter ID law: don’t let uproar mask spirit of the bill
Tribune Review: Angela’s anguish, revealed
Tribune Review: Off to the pokey they go
Tribune Review: Primary 2012: Nominate Mitt Romney
Post-Gazette: Romney for GOP: Pennsylvania should set seal on his nomination
Post-Gazette: West of reason: A McCarthy-like slur echoes the speech of hate

Blogs:
Commonwealth Foundation: Pennsylvania Legislative candidate survey 2012
Lehigh Valley Independent: PA-15: Rick Daugherty raised $8K in Q1
Pennsylvania Progressive: State House candidate Strubinger violating election law
Keystone Politics: Altmire doubles down in another attack ad
Keystone Politics: Joe Sestak endorses Ken Lee for 4th Congressional District
Keystone Politics: More details on the Altmire and Critz financials
Broad & Pennsylvania: Endorsements #3 and 4: Mark Critz and Bill Vinsko