Halfway home – It’s Wednesday. It’s Official. The Phillies versus St. Louis.

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Phillies (87-74) | Houston, L, 10-0 | WED vs. Houston
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Cake and candles for Rep. Jim Cox.

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Top Story

1. The Most Important Senate Race in the Country

We’ve known it for a long time. It is now becoming clearer to the rest of the country.

Pennsylvania has the most important Senate race in the country.

Yes, Georgia and Nevada are important as well. But the Keystone State is first among equals as both parties test messaging for 2024. (CNN)

Related

Pennsylvania Senate Moves Back to Toss Up. “When we shifted our Pennsylvania Senate rating to Lean Democrat about six weeks ago, we included this key caveat — Republican spending against Democratic nominee John Fetterman had yet to ramp up, and that while Republican Mehmet Oz still has a hefty problem with his own favorables, that “it’s not out of the question that this could move back [to Toss Up] as the election nears.”” (Cook Political Report)

• Republicans Gain Ground in Senate Races in PA, Wisconsin. (POLITICO)
• Republicans See Crime As Issue That Could Win Them The Senate. (The Hill)

In Braddock, Fetterman’s Record on Crime Is More Complex Than Political Ads Would Have You Believe. “Braddock, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh has become a crucial backdrop for that debate in the Senate contest. It’s where the Democrat, John Fetterman, served as mayor for 13 years and he says his work there exemplifies the kind of leader he is. It’s also a community where his Republican opponent, Mehmet Oz, says crime has exploded.” (WESA)

Oz Is Facing Accusations of Animal Abuse Tied to His Medical Research. Here’s What You Need to Know. “Mehmet Oz, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, is facing accusations over his treatment of animals following a report that dozens of his experiments at Columbia University resulted in the deaths of hundreds of dogs.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

• Giselle Fetterman Accuses Oz of ‘Quackery, as Campaign Releases New Video. (KDKA)

Ads

2. Political TV Ads Compete For Your Time and Your Vote

“Did you ever wonder how many political TV ads you were actually being exposed to on a weekly basis?

We took a look at one station in one market to see what advertising time had been purchased for one week – WNEP-TV 16, the ABC affiliate for northeastern Pennsylvania.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Gun Safety Group Launches $2.1 Million Ad Campaign Against Oz, Mastriano Over Gun Laws. “The TV and digital ads will launch in the Philadelphia market Wednesday and come as Oz, the GOP candidate for U.S. Senate, has made a major push to try to woo voters in the city and its suburbs.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Governor

3. Trump’s PAC Snubs Mastriano

“A political action committee for former President Donald Trump has chipped in toward the campaigns of several Pennsylvania Republicans, with some notable omissions.

Though both Trump and his son have rallied in person with Doug Mastriano, the former president’s PAC hasn’t given a single cent to Friends of Doug Mastriano, the campaign committee for Pennsylvania’s Republican gubernatorial nominee.” (Beaver County Times)

Related

Doug Mastriano Has The Fervent Base, But Mehmet Oz Is Trying to Reach PA Swing Voters. “While Doug Mastriano has a fervent base of support, GOP Senate nominee Mehmet Oz is aiming for broader, if less excited, backing, as he tries to win cross-over votes.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Around the Commonwealth

PA-12: What’s In a Name? GOP Congressional Candidate Mike Doyle Shares Name With Retiring Democrat, Sowing Confusion. “A candidate’s name in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District race is turning out to be a key issue in the campaign.” (Tribune-Review)

PA-07 Ad Watch: Susan Wild Ad Attacks Lisa Scheller’s Company Record and Salary. Are The Claims True? “Wild’s ad aims to paint Silberline in a negative light by highlighting its ties to China and a supposedly false claim from Scheller about her 2020 salary.” (Morning Call)

• PA-07: Susan Wild Touts Record as She Seeks Third Term. (Armchair Lehigh Valley)

PA House Preview: Montgomery County. “We continue our series on the candidates for the Pennsylvania State House with a look at Montgomery County.” (PoliticsPA)

• Who You’ll Be Voting For In Bucks and Montco. (Bucks County Courier Times)

The Race to Represent the 124th District. “Democrat Tina Burns and Republican Jamie Barton are competing for the open seat.” (Reading Eagle)

Candidates Stake Out Positions in Race For 6th District. “A forum Tuesday featuring candidates in the race for the 6th District seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives revealed some areas of agreement and numerous areas of disagreement.” (Meadville Tribune)

Ask Not For Whom The Bell Polls. “Al Schmidt knows about the threat of election-deniers – and the havoc they can create – better than most anyone in Pennsylvania.” (City & State)

Unresolved Gray Areas in PA Voting Law Likely to Spur Fresh Confusion, Legal Challenges. “As millions of Pennsylvanians once again go to the polls this November, some key questions on mail ballots remain unsettled, opening the door for more legal action and public confusion after the upcoming gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races.” (Spotlight PA)

Lycoming County to Do Hand Recount of 2020 Votes For President, One Row Office. “A hand recount of all ballots cast in the 2020 general election for president and one of the state row offices will take place in Lycoming County starting in January.” (PennLive)

Commentary

• Government Unions Have Too Much Power. (Elizabeth Stelle)
• Oz’s Specious Medical Claims Raise Questions of Financial Integrity. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Calls to Fear Soros and the ‘Globalists’ Are Anti-Semitic. We Must Reject Them. (Adam Metzendorf)
• Reforming Election Process Will Move PA Forward (Ilya Breyman)
• Biden, Congressional Leaders Must Unite to Fight for PA Jobs. (Stratton Yatron)