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What We’re Hearing
“I’ve made a commitment to President Trump to help lead his campaign in Pennsylvania. I want to focus on this commitment, as well as the House and PA Senate race, so therefore, I am withdrawing from the Speaker’s race.” – Rep. Dan Meuser

What’s Happening
Senate will convene at 1 p.m. Appellate Court candidates virtual forum, 6:30 p.m.; Montour County commissioner forum, 7 p.m.; Centre County candidates forum, 7 p.m.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Steven Mentzer.

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Top Story

1. Meuser Bows Out of Speaker’s Race

“Congressman Dan Meuser (R-09) was one of nine candidates seeking the Speakership of the United States House of Representatives, before bowing out Monday night.

Meuser, serving his third term in Washington as the representative from east-central PA, is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus and serves on the House Financial Services and Small Business Committees. The former businessman and state Secretary of Revenue was considered a long-shot at best for the job.

The House Republican Conference will meet on Tuesday to select its next candidate. Here are the other candidates.” (PoliticsPA)

• PA Congressman Dan Meuser Ends His Brief Run For House Speaker. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Meuser Withdraws From Speaker’s Race To Focus On Trump 2024. (Scranton Times-Tribune)

Related

Janelle Stelson’s Time As TV News Anchor Provides An Early Boost In Her Run For Congress. “Three decades on television in central Pennsylvania has given former WGAL news anchor Janelle Stelson an early bump in her Democratic primary bid to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

PA-10: Former WITF Exec Adds To Big Democratic Primary Field. “Blake Lynch, until recently a senior executive at WITF, is the latest to join a crowded 2024 Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District, a capitol area seat comprised of Dauphin County, most of Cumberland County and the northern half of York County.” (PennLive)

Another Candidate Joins Crowded Race To Challenge U.S. Rep. Scott Perry. “The latest? John Broadhurst, a business consultant who filed with the Federal Election Commission to run in the Democratic primary.” (York Dispatch)

State

2. Rozzi Enters Race For Auditor General

“Former Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Mark Rozzi announced that he is a candidate for the position of state Auditor General.

The 52-year-old Muhlenberg Township resident also said he will not seek reelection for his House seat in the 126th District in next year’s election.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Rep. Mark Rozzi Announces Bid For Auditor General: ‘It’s A Really Good Fit For Me’. “A six-term state lawmaker has set his sights on becoming the state’s next fiscal watchdog.” (PennLive)

HD-103: Evans Announces State House Run. “Camp Hill Borough Councilwoman Mercedes Evans announced her candidacy for the Pennsylvania State House in the 103rd Legislative District, joining healthcare executive Tricia Nixon in the race to replace Rep. Patty Kim.” (PoliticsPA)

Rep. Patty Kim’s Work For Dem Campaign Committee Included Financial Scandal Resulting In Fired Employee. “Kim has served as the treasurer for the House Democratic Campaign Committee since 2016. In that time the committee fired its executive director, Trevor Southerland, for financial irregularities, leaving open the possibility that Kim shared responsibility given her role as treasurer.” (Broad + Liberty)

PA Superior Court Candidate Maria Battista Hospitalized After Car Crash. “Pennsylvania Superior Court candidate Maria Battista was hospitalized late Sunday following a car crash, but her campaign released little information about the incident.” (PennLive)

PA Superior Court Candidates Talk Experience, Judicial Activism With PennLive Editorial Board. “Three of the four candidates for Pennsylvania Superior Court shared their judicial philosophies and love of dogs and ice cream with the PennLive editorial board on Monday.” (PennLive)

Burns’ Military Family Tuition Bill Signed Into Law. “A bill introduced by state Rep. Frank Burns that guarantees in-state tuition for students of military families that get reassigned out of Pennsylvania was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro on Monday.” (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Bucks County Is Shifting Red, And Its Commissioners Race This Fall Could Have Implications For 2024

“Off-year contests like this rarely garner much attention. But this year, the heated Bucks County race is the most competitive in Philadelphia’s collar counties and could signal how Pennsylvania — and possibly the nation — will vote in 2024.

Democrats Bob Harvie and Diane Marseglia are running against Republicans Gene DiGirolamo and Pamela Van Blunk in the Nov. 7 general election to determine which party controls the county.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Election 2023: County Commissioner Races. “With less than two weeks remaining before the 2023 municipal general election, an important down-ballot race to watch in most Pennsylvania counties is for county commissioner.” (PoliticsPA)

Allegheny County Executive Race A Generational Decision Between Innamorato, Rockey. “Sara Innamorato and Joe Rockey grew up during starkly different eras for the Pittsburgh region, a fact that shows in their visions as they compete in the hottest race for Allegheny County executive in decades.” (Public Source)

Allegheny County Executive Race Turns To Debate On Election Integrity. “With slightly more than two weeks to go before voters choose their next Allegheny County executive, the race has turned to who can be trusted to oversee elections themselves.” (WESA)

A Look At Cherelle Parker And David Oh’s First Encounter Of The General Election. “In their first meeting since the primary, Parker and Oh talked public safety, the 76ers arena, and character. They will debate each other on KYW on Thursday.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Allentown Ballot Questions: Voters To Decide On Significant Raises For City Council, Controller. “Allentown voters were denied the opportunity to weigh in on several referendums, but two still will be on 2023 general election ballots in the city. Voters will be asked whether to authorize substantial raises for the controller and Allentown City Council’s seven members.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Union County District Attorney Peter Johnson Remembered By Friends, Colleagues. “Johnson died Saturday a few months before his planned retirement. He served in the elected position for nearly 28 years and would have finished his seventh, four-year term as a Republican at the end of this year.” (Daily Item)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• Judge Daniel D. McCaffery Belongs On The PA Supreme Court. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Opening Primaries Won’t Heal Our Politics, But It Will Help. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• On Respect, Collaboration, And Democracy. (Gary Eichelberger)
• Shapiro’s Stumbles Sully Reputation. (Lowman Henry)
• A Different Kind of Education Promise. (Sharif El-Mekki)
• How To Get The Most Out Of Expansion Of Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. (Pat Browne and Jason Kavulich)
• Lack Of Interest In Community Concerns Contributes To Beaver County’s Faltering. (Daniel Rossi-Keen)
• Automatic Registration Working, Now It’s Time To Vote. (Daily Item)

1 Thing

5. The ‘Forgotten Five’ Classic Toys

“Here’s a triumphant toy story: One beloved but forgotten plaything will finally be inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.

Five toys, each of which has been considered for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y. in the past – but have fallen short – are again vying for that coveted spot. This time, one of them is guaranteed to make it.

The five toys on the ballot: the Fisher-Price Corn Popper, My Little Pony, Pez dispensers, the pogo stick and Transformers.” (USA Today)

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