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🗞️ Good Morning Pennsylvania. Find all the latest news on what’s happening in Keystone State politics with the PoliticsPA Playbook. We’ll deliver all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8 AM. And it’s free. Add your name to the list and subscribe now.

Top Story

1. Pennsylvania Senate Race Headed to Recount As Casey Trails McCormick By Less Than Half A Point

“Pennsylvania’s nationally watched U.S. Senate race is headed to a recount after Sen. Bob Casey did not waive an automatic recount, the Pennsylvania Department of State announced Wednesday.

The Associated Press called the race last week for Republican Dave McCormick, who narrowly leads Casey, a three-term Democrat, by less than 0.5%, the threshold for triggering an automatic recount.

This will be the eighth time the state’s automatic recount law has been triggered since it was established in 2004 and the fourth time a recount has actually occurred. The Department of State estimated it would cost more than $1 million in state dollars.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

• Unofficial Returns (PA Department of State)
• When Is A Recount Required for PA Elections? (PoliticsPA)
• Pennsylvania’s Senate Race Is Going to a Recount. How Will It Work? (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• What’s a Provisional Ballot? Northampton County Processing Almost 4,000 of Them. (LehighValleyNews.com)

Elsewhere

National Exit Polls. “NBC News, in conjunction with a consortium of news organizations, conducted exit polling across the country in 10 key states, including Pennsylvania. The polling included speaking with voters at polling places and phone interviews.” (NBC News)

Trump’s Win is Dividing US Women. “Left-leaning women are struggling to understand how other women could possibly vote for Trump, given his role in appointing the Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v Wade and oftentimes misogynistic rhetoric on the campaign trail. But different women have different ideas about what constitutes “progress” for their gender.” (Semafor)

‘Dad, Is the World Going to End?’ How to Talk to Your Kids About the Election. “After Donald Trump won the presidential election, Eddie Slaughter, 37, a barbershop owner, and Trump voter, in Dunedin, Fla., was celebrating. Slaughter is also a father of four. His two older kids, who are 11 and 13, had a different reaction to the results. They came to him expressing uncertainty.” (WQLN)

State

2. Shapiro Applauds Democrats For Keeping Pennsylvania House Majority After ‘Significant Headwinds’

“During his first public appearance since the election, Gov. Josh Shapiro visited York County Wednesday and gave his thoughts on the outcome of several races in Pennsylvania.

Following prepared remarks, Shapiro told reporters that he’s keeping his focus on addressing the issues facing Pennsylvanians after the latest election.

“We’re going to continue to focus on economic opportunity, schools, safety and things that bring people together. So my focus won’t change,” Shapiro said. “And look, despite the fact that there was an election that saw some significant change at the national level, here at the state level, we continue to re-elect people who are focused on bringing more opportunity, who are willing to work together.”” (Penn Capital-Star)

Elsewhere

Gov. Shapiro Gives ‘Wait and See’ Response to Trump Pledge to Begin Mass Deportations. “Shapiro‘s comments come as post-Trump election fear is rippling through Pennsylvania’s immigrant communities and as other Democratic governors have spoken out forcefully about how they will respond to Trump’s threats.” (PennLive)

Senate Republicans Reelect Leadership Team. “Senate Republicans reelected their entire leadership team today to continue serving in the 2025-26 legislative session.” (PoliticsPA)

PA Senate Democratic Caucus Elects Leadership Team. “The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus today elected its leadership team for the 2025-26 legislative session.” (PoliticsPA)

The Path to Reelection for Auditor General Tim DeFoor. “Twice as nice for Republican Tim DeFoor. Here is an interactive map showing DeFoor’s margins throughout the state. ” (PoliticsPA)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Schools, Colleges Brace For ‘A Much More Threatening Political Environment’

“Educators and university leaders are on the edge of their seats as President-elect Trump makes his return to office with an aggressive posture toward K-12 and higher education.

Trump has threatened to “tax endowments, impose budget reconciliation, and fine institutions ‘up to the entire amount of their endowment’ if they are perceived as having promoted ‘wokeism,’ [which] risks eroding academic freedom, institutional autonomy and the democratic purposes of higher education,” said Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities.” (The Hill)

Elsewhere

The Philly DA’s Suit Against Elon Musk’s $1 Million Giveaway Lacked Proof and Made ‘Unpersuasive’ Arguments, Judge Says. “Larry Krasner’s suit failed to establish proof that Musk’s contest met even the most basic definition of an illegal lottery.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Butler County Voters Turned Out Big For Donald Trump Months After Attempted Assassination. “Just shy of 80,000 Butler County voters cast their ballots for Trump on Nov. 5, nearly double the 40,700 votes amassed by the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. ” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Executive Sara Innamorato Defends Proposed Allegheny County Budget, Tax Increase. “Ms. Innamorato and County Council members have gone back and forth on her proposed 2025 operating budget, and its accompanying tax rate increase, since she introduced it last month. ” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Razor-Thin Senate Race Shows Weaknesses in PA Election Law. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• The Shapeshifting Media, Donald Trump and What Might Lie Ahead. (John Baer)
• A Possible Script For The Next Four Years. (Joe Sestak)
• Democrats Wonder: Are We Too Correct? (Jonathan Martin)
• Snap Out of It, Democrats: No More Tears. No More Finger-Pointing. It’s Time to Start Working on 2026. (Harold Jackson)
• I Don’t Know If I Belong to a Political Party Anymore. So I’m Throwing a Party Instead. (Heather Shayne Blakeslee)
• Silver Linings For Those Who Didn’t Vote For Trump. (York Dispatch)

1 Thing

5. My Little Pony Makes Hall of Fame

“It’s official! Today, the National Toy Hall of Fame inducted My Little Pony, Phase 10, and Transformers. The winners emerged from a field of 12 finalists that also included Apples to Apples, balloons, Choose Your Own Adventure gamebooks, Hess Toy Trucks, Pokémon Trading Card Game, remote-controlled (R/C) vehicles, Sequence, stick horse, and trampoline. The three inducted toys have been enshrined and are on view at The Strong National Museum of Play, home to the National Toy Hall of Fame.

“These are three very deserving toys that showcase the wide range of how people play,” says Christopher Bensch, vice president for collections and chief curator. “But for My Little Pony, in particular, this year is extra validating. The beloved toy was a finalist seven times before finally crossing the finish line!”” (Museum of Play)

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