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Top Story

1. Debate Night in Pennsylvania

It’s the one you have been waiting for.

In one corner, the 6-foot-8 Democratic lieutenant governor – John Fetterman.

In the other corner, the Republican celebrity doctor – Mehmet Oz.

And we have provided a way for you to enjoy the 60-minute debate even more than you thought. A Bingo Card (see above)!

Related

How To Watch Tonight’s Debate. “The debate will be telecast in 62 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, as well as some parts of Ohio, New York, and Washington, D.C., Nexstar, which owns abc27, said in a statement.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Five Things to Watch. “The race is one of a handful that will decide control of the upper chamber and the debate itself is seen as particularly consequential as Oz gains on Fetterman and the lieutenant governor seeks to dispel concerns about his health after a stroke earlier this year.” (The Hill)

All Eyes On PA Senate Debate. “The moment Republican Mehmet Oz and Democrat John Fetterman take the stage at 8 p.m. Tuesday tonight could become the climax of their race for the U.S. Senate this year.” (WESA)

Senate

2. Democrats Employ Obama, Biden To Lock Down Pennsylvania

“President Biden and former President Obama will barnstorm the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas on Nov. 5 with the party’s nominees for Pennsylvania governor and Senate, according to a Democrat with direct knowledge of the plans.

In the final days before the midterms, Democrats are deploying their party’s biggest assets in Pennsylvania. The state, which was critical to Biden’s 2020 election victory, could determine control of the Senate next year.” (Axios)

Related

NN Poll: Fetterman Tops Senate Survey; Shapiro Has Significant Advantage For Governor. “Continuing a trend that began just after the conclusion of the May primaries, the Democratic candidates for both the open U.S. Senate seat and the governor’s mansion head the latest survey, this one coming from CNN/SSRS.” (PoliticsPA)

• CBS/YouGov Poll: Senate Race Narrows. (CBS News)
• Too Close to Call? When Is a Dead Heat Really a Dead Heat? (Roll Call)

Is John Fetterman’s Wife, Gisele, The ‘De Facto Candidate’ For PA Senate? “Gisele Barreto Fetterman, the wife of Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman, has worked to make a name for herself in the Pennsylvania political arena over the last few weeks as she speaks on her husband’s behalf in certain situations and defends his candidacy in the race.” (Fox News)

A PA Mandatory Life-Without-Parole Sentence Is a Flashpoint Between Oz and Fetterman. “John Fetterman wants to change Pennsylvania’s unforgiving sentence for felony, or second-degree, murder, while Mehmet Oz tries to use that against him in a most-watched Senate race.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

U.S. House

3. PA-10: U.S. House Preview

This is the eighth in our series highlighting the U.S. House of Representatives races in the Commonwealth. In Cumberland, Dauphin and York Counties, Incumbent Republican Scott Perry faces Democratic challenger Shamaine Daniels. (PoliticsPA)

Related

Talking PA Elections. “In a recent sit-down, Dan Mallinson, assistant professor of public policy and administration in Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Public Affairs, discusses why Pennsylvania has been in the spotlight and what is at stake in some of the biggest races.” (Penn State News)

Debate/Forum Calendar. “Here is a schedule of debates/forums involving candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the PA General Assembly.” (PoliticsPA)

PA-04: Dean, Nascimento Hold Debate. “During a Monday debate at the studios of WFMZ-TV, incumbent Democrat Madeleine Dean and Republican challenger Christian Nascimento laid out their cases for voters to make their choice for the 4th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.” (PoliticsPA)

PA-08: Black Scranton Leader Responds to Bognet Comments In Facebook, Instagram Posts. “Black Scranton Project’s leader criticized Republican congressional candidate Jim Bognet for harboring “anti-Black sentiments” and portraying the group as radical and pro-crime.” (Times-Tribune)

PA-10: In Battle Over Scott Perry’s Phone Data, Media Asks Judge To Make Documents Public. “The U.S. Justice Department wants to argue in secret why the FBI’s reasons for seizing incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry’s phone data should stay secret. Local media hopes to pry those secrets into the open as part of an ongoing federal lawsuit.” (York Dispatch)

PA-16: Pastore Says Kelly Sues To Stop Mail-In Ballots, ‘Disenfranchises’ Voters. “When Fairview Township resident Dan Pastore learned his representative in Congress had sued to void the mail-in ballots cast predominantly by Democrats in the 2020 presidential election and to halt the certification of the vote, he knew his time had come.” (Erie Times-News)

PA-17 Ad Watch: “Republican Jeremy Shaffer is presenting himself as a “bipartisan problem solver” in a new ad that could serve as an application to the Problem Solvers Caucus in Congress.” (Punchbowl News)

Around The Commonwealth

Election Guide. “Midterm elections across the United States are just around the corner. And while there are important races throughout the country, a handful of races here, in Pennsylvania and in the immediate Pittsburgh area, will have a national impact.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

• Election Guide. (CBS Pittsburgh)

PA GOP Candidates Are Dodging The Press and Ditching Debates. What Does That Mean For Democracy? “Whether one picks up a newspaper, turns on a television, or clicks on an article, it’s nearly impossible to ignore just how many Republican candidates are not engaging with the press and the general public.” (WHYY)

Access To Reproductive Health Care Is a Fundamental Freedom, Advocates Say In Capitol Rally. “The event, led by state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia, featured speakers with Black, Lantinx, and religious perspectives who called on the eight out of 10 Pennsylvanians who support abortion rights to vote in the interest of women.” (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

In Blue PA, Democrats Dealing With Crime, Inflation Eye Voting Options Warily. “A rough economy and rising crime has some Pittsburgh Democrats dispirited. Most say they won’t pick Republicans, but some might not vote at all.” (PennLive)

Committee Investigating Larry Krasner Releases Interim Report Without Recommendation To Impeach. “Although the report’s conclusion falls short of recommending Krasner’s impeachment, it paints a dark picture of the City of Philadelphia and the city’s top prosecutor.” (City & State)

Philly City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart Plans To Resign Today and Launch a Run For Mayor. “Rhynhart, the independent fiscal watchdog who’s twice won citywide election, will try to appeal to residents who want a pragmatic leader to navigate the city’s gun-violence crisis and progressive voters who want sweeping reform.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Longtime Leader of Debt-Ridden PA Turnpike Commission Cruises In His Renomination. “A quick meeting of the Senate Transportation Committee again approved the nomination of Pasquale Deon to be Pennsylvania Turnpike commissioner on Monday.” (The Center Square)

SD 14: A Look At The Twister-Shaped District. “Under redistricting, the twister-shaped seat covers whole or parts of 20 municipalities that span Lehigh and Northampton counties. It includes Democratic bastions in Allentown and Whitehall Township but also conservative havens in northwestern Northampton County.” (LehighValleyLive)

Opinion

• With The World Watching, Democracy Is Faltering. (Harlan Ullman)
• Oz-Fetterman Debate Discourse Shows Our ‘Discomfort’ With Disability. (Gene J. Puskar)
• Al Schmidt Shows The Path to Election Integrity Is Personal Integrity. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Are Voter ID Laws Really ‘Racist?’ (Jerry Shenk)
• Despite Stroke, Fetterman/Oz Debate No Cakewalk For Oz. (Chris Kelly)
• Does Our Nation Really Need Republicans? Yes, More Than Ever. (John M. Crisp)