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4/24 Ups & Downs

Lawsuits, lobbyists and insufficient funds. See who made this week’s list!

Down ArrowJoe Sestak. Like it or not, what Jesse Unruh said so many years ago is true, “Money is the mother’s milk of politics.” That’s why Joe Sestak’s lackluster fundraising report is so important. The former Congressman may truly believe that he can win with a people-fueled campaign but in a post-Citizens United world money is a prerequisite for victory. Now the challenger is facing a $5.6 million gap in the amount of cash on hand his campaign has compared to Senator Pat Toomey. Plus, a better fundraising performance might have scared off Ed Pawlowski or forced Josh Shapiro to make up his mind.

Up ArrowDown ArrowJim Kenney. It was another week chock-full of endorsements for Kenney as Northeast Philly, environmental groups and PASNAP all coalesced around his candidacy. He also holds a slight lead in the newest poll of the race (though the survey was commissioned by a union that backs him). Yet he made an enemy out of one of his opponent’s, Judge Nelson Diaz. After a group switched their support from him to Kenney, Diaz made it his mission to prove that Kenney agreed to finance electioneering efforts for controversial Council candidate Manny Morales. Whether Diaz’s attacks are personally motivated or for the benefit of one of the other top-tier candidates, they could still sting the new front-runner.

Up Arrow1Doug Oliver. Speaking of Philadelphia’s Mayoral race, Doug Oliver became just the third candidate to hit the airwaves with his own ads. Beating even Lynne Abraham to TV, this exposure could boost the candidacy of a man whose earned plaudits from observers but has remained in the second tier. Perhaps these commercials can shake things up.

 

 

Down ArrowKathleen Kane. The Attorney General is already in the midst of her fair share of legal issues at the moment. Therefore, she couldn’t have been happy to learn that she’ll be facing a lawsuit from Claude Thomas. Thomas was the undercover officer involved in the Philly sting case who Kane said had suggested racial motives were involved. Thomas denies saying that and is now suing the Attorney General. If any of that left you confused (don’t worry, it is all quite complicated), please consult our new, comprehensive Kathleen Kane timeline for all the AG-related answers you need.

Up ArrowAllyson Schwartz. It didn’t take long for Allyson Schwartz to land back on her feet. The former Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate went the route that almost all former members of the legislative branch go to once they leave: lobbying. Schwartz is now the new President and CEO of the Better Medicare Alliance. The group was founded by the three largest Medicare Advantage Insurers in America. With budget negotiations heating up, Governor Wolf may even look upon his old opponent with envy.

The tweet of the week goes to the National Journal’s Alex Roarty for this message about the potential consequences of Sestak’s first quarter fundraising numbers.

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