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Top Story

1. Inquirer Endorses Josh Shapiro For Governor

“In the history of political endorsements for statewide office in Pennsylvania, it’s hard to remember when there has ever been a more straightforward choice than in the 2022 race for governor.

That is not just because Josh Shapiro is an experienced and highly qualified candidate with a track record of taking on powerful interests and working across the aisle. That is largely because Doug Mastriano, his Republican opponent, is so utterly unfit for public office.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Mastriano’s Unconventional Campaign May Be Quietly Building Support, Despite Poll Numbers. “ Though he may be massively out-fundraised and down in many of the most conventionally accepted polls, the GOP state senator is warning observers that their eyes may be deceiving them — and that he’s tapping into grassroots energy on the ground that’ll carry him to victory this November over Democrat Josh Shapiro.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

A High-Profile PA Candidate Is From New Jersey – And It’s Not Dr. Oz. “Republican nominee for governor Doug Mastriano is also a native son of the land of Bruce Springsteen, the Giants and Jets, Tony Soprano, some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline you’ll ever see, and — for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians each year — our summertime playground.” (PennLive)

‘Commonwealth Before Party.’ Why Some Republicans Are Endorsing Shapiro for PA Governor. “(Michael) Chertoff, and several of the other Republicans who also support (Josh) Shapiro, say their priority goes beyond their party: the fate of our democracy.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)

The Future of Presidential Elections Is On The Line Right Now in PA. “Gen Z is no stranger to political upheaval. Born into a world grappling with major tectonic shifts in the domestic and international political landscapes, we’ve spent our formative years immersed in a culture reckoning with its checkered past, tumultuous present, and uncertain future.” (34th Street)

What Having Election Deniers On This Year’s Ballot Means For November and Beyond. “As pivotal races with significant statewide and national implications enter the final stretch, disinformation and misinformation regarding election operations will continue to have far-reaching impacts not only this November, but potentially well into the future.” (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

PA’s Roads and Bridges Are Aging Poorly. Here’s How Shapiro, Mastriano Plan to Fix Them. “If there is one thing all Pennylvanians can agree on — regardless of where they live, what political party they support, whether they prefer Wawa or Sheetz — it’s that the roads are terrible.” (WHYY)

U.S. House

2. PA-17: Battle Royale Between Deluzio, Shaffer

“This year’s candidates for the 17th district, as always, have deep roots in the region they’re seeking to represent.

Democrat Chris Deluzio, a father of three and a former Navy officer who served in Iraq, returned to Western Pennsylvania to become the University of Pittsburgh’s cyber policy director.

Republican Jeremy Shaffer’s family has been here for eight generations. The father of five was born in Virginia while his family was away for a job, but he returned to attend CMU and never left. He’s a software engineer, small businessman and a former Ross Township commissioner.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Related

PA-04: The Race Between Dean, Nascimento. “Voters in the 4th Congressional District have a choice at the polls. Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean and Republican challenger Christian Nascimento are competing for the seat.” (Reading Eagle)

PA-07: Where Wild, Scheller Stand On The 2020 Election, Inflation, Abortion, Crime and Other Issues. “Susan Wild and Lisa Scheller, who are vying for Pennsylvania’s competitive 7th District seat in Congress in a race with national implications, differ drastically on nearly every issue.” (Morning Call)

Senate

3. Why Are Undecided Still Unconvinced?

“The run-up to Pennsylvania’s midterm elections has been intense. The political stakes are high. The candidates evoke passionate responses — positive and negative. And the attack ads keep looping.

But for a chunk of voters in Pennsylvania — a large enough group to decide the key open Senate race — the decision on how to vote is still unclear.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

The Politics of Biden’s Marijuana Pardons. “President Biden’s marijuana pardons are a small policy change to entice young voters, but they’ve immediately become a political lightning rod in at least one battleground state.” (Axios)

The Vulnerability of John Fetterman. (New York Magazine)

Around The Commonwealth

PA Senate Preview: Southwest. “We continue our series on the Pennsylvania state Senate races with a look at the southwest. A reminder that only even-numbered Districts are up for election this season.” (PoliticsPA)

• SD 22: Flynn, Bassett Square Off. (Times-Tribune)
• HD 119: Candidates Both Claim They’re Moderates. (Hazleton Standard-Speaker)
• HD 134: Incumbent Peter Schweyer Faces Brent Labenberg, Emmaus Council President. (Armchair Lehigh Valley)

Ups and Downs. “We are just about one month from Election Day (November 8) and this is the best time of year in the Keystone State. Daytime temperatures are warm, while the evening lows require a sweater or jacket. Football season is in high gear … and a certain baseball team from the City of Brotherly Love is playing in the postseason. Here are our Ups and Downs for the first week of October.” (PoliticsPA)

‘A Heartbeat Away.’ 3 Reasons Why The Lieutenant Governor Race Matters. “A pair of state representatives from Allegheny County are seeking a high post in Pennsylvania that receives low attention.” (Bucks County Courier Times)

Could 2023 Be The Year of Legal Weed in PA? Maybe, But Don’t Count On It. “The rapidly shifting attitudes nationally have created a situation where Pennsylvania begins to stand out for having no level of legalization, decriminalization or regulation.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

On PA’s Campaign Trail, The Doctor Will See You Now. “Physicians across Pennsylvania are politicking in unprecedented ways with less than a month to go before the midterm election, making the case that the abortion restrictions proposed by Republicans would threaten one of the state’s most important economic sectors.” (POLITICO)

Want To Hand In More Than One Mail-In Ballot? PA Department of State Says Not So Fast. “If you’re voting by mail this election season, you’ll have plenty of rules to follow – including where and how to drop your ballot off before polls close.” (WESA)

PA Lawmakers Seek Answers About Postal Service Issues. “U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright want answers about continuing mail service issues in Northeast Pennsylvania and elsewhere in the state.” (Times-Tribune)

Supreme Court Abortion Decision Spurs Women to Register to Vote, Become Politically Active. “(Erin) Burlew hasn’t been alone in taking action in response to the high court’s Roe v. Wade decision. While it cleared the way for abortion bans to be imposed across the country, it also spurred many voters — particularly women — to rethink their politics.” (Tribune-Review)

Opinion

• Oz More Connected to Southeastern PA Than Fetterman (The Intelligencer)
• What Shapiro and Mastriano Share In Common. (Jennifer Stefano)
• John Fetterman Hurting Himself By Not Releasing Records. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• I Taught At the U.S. Army War College. Two Students I Would Not Vote For. (Tami Davis Biddle)
• Let’s Talk About White Nationalism in America. (Joyce M. Davis)
• History, Polling Show That PA Democrats May Be Seeking An Abortion Mirage. (Michael Torres)
• Unnecessary Hand Recount a Distraction. (Williamsport Sun-Gazette)
• Republicans Misrepresenting CRT. (Gary Stout)
• Abortion Bans Actually Deter Women From Having Babies. (Froma Harrop)