☝️ Here’s to the Winners.

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What We’re Hearing
”I’m only here today because those women decided I was worthy enough to sit at their feet and learn.” – Cherelle Parker

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Top Story

1. McCaffery Wins Open Seat On Pennsylvania Supreme Court

“Democrat Dan McCaffery won an open seat on Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court in Tuesday’s general election, preserving a strong Democratic majority on a panel that has produced several critical election-related rulings in the presidential battleground state.

The seven-member bench, which will be made up five Democrats and two Republicans, is also at the center of cases on guns and abortion rights — which had a prominent role in the campaign.

McCaffery, a judge who serves on a statewide appellate court, beat Carolyn Carluccio, a Montgomery County judge.” (AP)

Related

By The Numbers. McCaffery 53, Carluccio 47.

Dan McCaffery’s Triumph In The PA Supreme Court Race Extends Democrats’ Majority. “Abortion rights and election integrity took center stage in the expensive and contentious showdown between the candidates.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

How Abortion Became The Central Issue In Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court Race. “Democrat Dan McCaffery won the vacant seat on a court that will likely make consequential decisions on abortion access in the near future.” (Penn Capital-Star)

‘Pure Democracies Are Not the Way to Run a Country,’ Says Santorum After Ohio Abortion, Marijuana Vote Results. “Former Pennsylvania Senator and Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum claimed on Tuesday that Ohio’s decision to legalize marijuana and enshrine abortion in the state constitution was proof that “pure democracies are not the way to run a country.”” (MediaIte)

State

2. Parker Will Become Philadelphia’s First Female Mayor

“Philadelphia’s glass ceiling has been broken.

Democrat Cherelle Parker defeated Republican David Oh on Tuesday to become the 100th mayor of Philadelphia. She will be the first woman to hold the office when her four-year term begins in January.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Beck Wins Seat On Pennsylvania Superior Court. “Democrat Jill Beck has won a seat on the Pennsylvania Superior Court, the Associated Press projects.”(CBS Pittsburgh)

By The Numbers. Beck 27.8, Lane 25.2, Battista 24.4, Smail 22.6.

Wolf Beats Martin for Commonwealth Court Seat. “Democrat Matt Wolf, a Philadelphia municipal judge, will fill an open seat on Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court. The Associated Press called the race at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Unofficial results show Wolf with 53% of the vote and Republican Megan Martin, a former legislative official, with 47%.” (Spotlight PA)

Pennsylvania’s Blue Wave Offers Democrats Hope For 2024. “Democrats won big across the state, from school board races to the Supreme Court. But an off-year election is an imperfect comparison for the 2024 presidential race.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Northampton County Executive Blames Voting Machine Problems On ‘Laziness,’ Says They Will Delay Final Tallies, But All Votes Will Be Counted As Intended. “Several errors Tuesday marred Election Day voting in Northampton County, highlighted by machine problems that officials say will delay final tallies, but not prevent all votes from being counted as intended.” (Allentown Morning Call)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Innamorato Elected Allegheny County Executive, First Woman To Hold County’s Top Position

“Sara Innamorato was elected Tuesday as the first woman to lead Allegheny County government, a historic moment that came after she ran on a progressive platform that promised a “county for all.”

Ms. Innamorato, the Democratic nominee for county executive, defeated Republican Joe Rockey, according to unofficial county results. With 99.7% of the vote counted late Tuesday, Ms. Innamorato had won about 51%, compared to about 49% for Mr. Rockey. In January, she will succeed term-limited Democrat Rich Fitzgerald, who has held the county’s top elected office since 2012.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Related

Stephen Zappala Is Re-Elected As Allegheny County District Attorney, Surviving A Rematch. “Stephen A. Zappala Jr. was re-elected as Allegheny County district attorney on Tuesday, surviving a rematch against the same progressive challenger who defeated him in the Democratic primary to win a seventh term as the county’s top prosecutor.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Working Families Party Poised To Take Two City Council Seats In A Historic Win For Philly Progressives. “Working Families Party candidates Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke appeared to have won a pair of seats on Philadelphia City Council Tuesday, scoring an unprecedented victory for progressives and ousting Republicans from seats they’d held for more than 70 years.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Incumbents, New Democratic Candidates Win Pittsburgh City Council And Allegheny County Council Races. “In an election cycle dominated by interest in races for county executive and district attorney, down-ballot contests at the city and county level saw victories by both political newcomers and longtime incumbents. ” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Democrats Appear To Win Control of Commissioner Board in Dauphin County. “Democratic newcomer Justin Douglas appeared to have narrowly won a spot as a Dauphin County commissioner, shifting control of the three-member board to Democrats, according to unofficial results as of late Tuesday.” (PennLive)

Bucks County Election Results Yielded Some Surprises. “The local elections in Bucks County have drawn national attention as a possible bellwether for the 2024 election, and the results of last night’s races will probably further that speculation as that race gets closer.” (Bucks County Courier Times)

Drexel Upsets Shank In Erie County Council Race; Scutella, Copeland, Schauerman Score Wins. “Democrat Chris Drexel defeated Republican incumbent Brian Shank in a major upset Tuesday night, giving Democrats a powerful 5-2 majority on Erie County Council.” (Erie Times-News)

Election Results 2023: County Commissioners. “The voters have spoken and have selected the leaders for their respective counties headed to 2024.” (PoliticsPA)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• U.S. 2025 Dictatorship Threat Just Got Real. (Will Bunch)
• How Sara Innamorato Can Truly Build A ‘County For All’ (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Last night’s Election Highlights Different Messages And Changing Coalitions. (Guy Ciarrocchi)

1 Thing

5. PA Tops Best Places to Retire

“Pennsylvania dominated the latest U.S News & World Report Best Places to Retire rankings released this morning, with Lancaster County slipping from the top ranking last year to third this year.

Pennsylvania represents 70% of the top 10 Best Places to Retire due to strong happiness, health care quality and retiree taxes scores, U.S News & World Report said in a news release.” (LNP)

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