Critz served in Congress for 3 years beginning in 2010, when he won a highly contest special election to replace the late Rep. John Murtha (D-Cambria). He won re-election that fall, and a primary versus Jason Altmire in 2012. He narrowly lost the 2012 general election to Republican Keith Rothfus.
For months, insiders have speculated as to whether Critz would seek a rematch with Rothfus, run for LG, or bide his time until 2016. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and other party power brokers had hoped to see him challenge Rothfus.
Critz will face a large and changing field of opponents in the Democratic primary. Harrisburg City Councilman Brad Koplinski was the first to announced, followed by Bradford County Commissioner Mark Smith and then Harrisburg city official Brenda Alton.
State Sen. Larry Farnese (D-Phila), State Reps. John Galloway (D-Bucks) and Brandon Neuman (D-Washington), and Northampton County DA John Morganelli, have each floated a bid.
Critz’s neighbor, state Sen. John Wozniak (D-Cambria) has also floated a bid. It’s not clear if he will remain in contention.
Koplinski’s campaign blasted Critz in a statement, comparing him to Gov. Tom Corbett:
“We welcome Mark Critz to the race, his views and ideas will create the sort of contrast we Democrats need.”
“Democrats will have the choice to choose between a true unwavering progressive and a candidate who has received a 0% from Planned Parenthood, a 0% from the Human Rights Campaign, an 8% from the Sierra Club, had the 4th worst lifetime record among Democrats according to the League of Conservation Voters, was among Pat Robertson’s Christian Coalition’s top 10 highest rated Democrats and received an A grade from the NRA. The overwhelming response Brad has heard in over 50 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties shows that Pennsylvania needs a complete departure from the conservative Corbett Administration policies, not an extension.”
As soon as the calendar flips past Labor Day, a lot of potential candidates are likely to announce that they are official candidates.
John Morganelli wants to be one of them. The Northampton County District Attorney sent an email to friends – obtained by PoliticsPA – asking for donations to boost his prospective bid for Lieutenant Governor.
“I am considering seeking the democratic nomination for Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania in 2014,” he wrote. “I have not made a formal announcement, and my decision will be based upon whether I can raise the necessary funds to compete on a statewide basis.”
He boasted that he has around $260,000 on hand from previous campaigns, and directed supporters to his website.
Morganelli has served as DA since he was elected in 1991. He ran for Attorney General twice; in the Democratic primary in 2000 and as the party’s nominee in 2008 against Tom Corbett.
Several others have announced or floated bids for Lieutenant Governor.
Harrisburg City Councilman Brad Koplinski was the first to announced, followed by Bradford County Commissioner Mark Smith and then Harrisburg city official Brenda Alton.
State Sens. Larry Farnese (D-Phila) and John Wozniak (D-Cambria), State Rep. John Galloway (D-Bucks) have each floated a bid.
And many observers are watching former U.S. Rep. Mark Critz (D-Cambria).
Another day, another change to the Corbett Administration. Although this time the Governor is announcing some new additions to his staff rather than exits.
John Micek of the Patriot-News reportedthat Gov. Corbett will name Lynn Lawson his new communications director. She is most well known as former Governor Tom Ridge’s former campaign press secretary.
The news comes just one day after Corbett’s long-time press secretary Kevin Harley resignedand moved to a GOP PR firm.
Lawson won’t be the only new addition to the Governor’s staff. Corbett also named former state Rep. Katie True (R-Lancaster) his new Secretary of Legislative Affairs.
“Katie True is an experienced advocate for Pennsylvania’s working families,” Corbett said in a press release. “We look forward to having her on the team as we work to enact our legislative agenda in the fall and beyond.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity Governor Corbett has afforded me, which allows me to work with the General Assembly on an agenda that will unite us for the benefit of the citizens of our commonwealth,’’ True said. “I look forward to the challenge.”
True was serving as Commissioner of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs which is part of the PA Department of State. True previously served as a state representative from 1993 to 2000 and again from 2003 to 2010.
Corbett’s ineffective relationship with the state legislature has been a serious weakness of his tenure. True’s longstanding relationships with her former colleagues could help ease future dealings.
True will replace interim Secretary Andrew Ritter according to the Post-Gazette. The Governor’s original secretary, longtime Corbett aide Christopher Carusone, left in July.
With a new team falling into place, the Governor must now set his sights on the fall legislative session and next year’s election.
No new press secretary (a separate position) has yet been named.
Update: Governor Tom Corbett today officially announced the appointment of Madelyn (Lynn) Lawson as Director of the Governor’s Office of Communications.
“Lynn brings a significant record of accomplishment in developing and implementing communications plans,” Corbett said. “I am pleased to have her expertise heading into the upcoming legislative session where the legislative leaders and I plan to build on our jobs record and pursue new policies to improve job growth and career opportunities for Pennsylvanians.”
“Governor Corbett’s commitment to Pennsylvania and to his policies that foster job growth, educational excellence and public accountability made it easy to accept when the opportunity to join his team was presented,” Lawson said. “I am extremely enthused to be part of the talented current and new team Governor Corbett has attracted. I look forward to helping the governor share his message of achievement with Pennsylvanians.”
There’s been another shakeup in Governor Tom Corbett’s administration.
Communications Director Kevin Harley is leaving his post, Corbett announced in a Monday press release.
Harley will take a position with Quantum Communications, a Republican PR firm in Harrisburg led by well-known consultant Charlie Gerow.
“Kevin has been one of my closest and trusted advisors for many years,” Corbett said. “I value his counsel and friendship. I look forward to continuing to work with him in a new role.”
Harley was one of the Governor’s longest-serving top aides. He was Press Secretary for Corbett’s Attorney General bid, the Attorney General’s office under Corbett, his gubernatorial campaign, and for Corbett’s transition and administration as governor.
The announcement comes near the end of a tough summer for Corbett, including the failure to achieve major budget priorities and poor poll numbers ahead of next year’s gubernatorial election.
Republicans have long grumbled about Corbett’s seeming inability to communicate effectively with the public, resulting in consistently poor poll numbers. Though more of the GOP political class blamed Corbett for the shortcoming than Harley, many had expected a shakeup as election season approaches.
To address this problem, Leslie Gromis-Baker, a well-respected GOP operative, joined the administration in July.
The release said Corbett would name Harley’s replacement soon.
State Senator Mike Waugh (R-York) announced today that he will not be seeking re-election to the Senate chamber in 2014. Waugh is a member of the body’s leadership, serving as Majority Caucus Chairman and his retirement is sure to shake up the party ranks.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve the fine people of York County in the Senate for four terms, and in the House before that,” Senator Waugh said. “Words cannot express how much I appreciate the trust that my constituents have put in me. I’ve always done my best to represent their interests at home and in the Capitol.”
Although the Senator did not specifically address the issue, his statement indicated that he has been diagnosed with a medical condition which will require treatment. Nevertheless, he made it clear that he is optimistic he will recover.
“I’ve enjoyed every part of representing the 28th District,” Senator Waugh said. “Making the decision not to run again is difficult, but I’ve been considering it for many months and my family and I know that this is the right time for me to move on to other interests. I’ve been blessed to meet thousands of wonderful people through the years, many of whom have become good friends. I’ll always have fond memories of my years in the General Assembly.”
Senator Waugh has served in upper chamber since 1999, and previously served six years in the State House. The 28th district is comprised entirely of parts of York County and consists of most of the central and southern sections. It’s a safe Republican seat.
Last month, the York Daily Record reportedreported that Steve Chronister, the president of the York County Board of Commissioners, was considering running for Waugh’s seat if chose not to seek re-election.
State Rep. Ron Miller (R-Jacobus) also expressed interest, although he seemed to think it unlikely that Waugh would retire.
“But I think the same rumor was flying around four years ago, and nothing came of it,” Miller said at the time. “So I’m not getting too excited about it.”
Contrary to what he said just days ago, Harrisburg Controller and former Democratic candidate for Mayor Dan Miller is going to pay the filing fee to secure his spot on the ballot as the Republican Candidate for Mayor.
The decision to remain on the ballot comes after petition challenges were made against the two independent candidates for mayor, Nevin Mindlin and Nate Curtis.
A spokesman said Miller did not want local businessman Eric Papenfuse, the Democratic nominee, to have an unobstructed path to the office.
According to thePatriot-News Miller said of the recent shift, ”This changes everything,” and, “We need an honest discussion of the issues in Harrisburg, and you can’t do that with one candidate in the race.”
Miller was also quoted as saying that he would back out if the challenge to Mindlin and Curtis’s candidacy did not prevail. The petitions are set to be taken up by Judge Bernard Coates on Monday morning of next week.
Dan Miller came in second in the May 21st Democratic mayoral primary. Incumbent mayor Linda Thompson fell to third. He received enough write-in votes though from Republicans to run as one. Miller said on August 5th, he would not accept the nomination.
Kane is sworn in as AG; Corbett looks on. Jan. 2013
As the field continues to take shape for the Democratic primary to challenge Gov. Tom Corbett next year, some insiders have speculated Pa. Attorney General Kathleen Kane, still in her first term, might mount a challenge herself.
On Monday, however, Kane told reporters in Pittsburgh that she is happy in her current job.
“I love my job as attorney general. I think it’s the right time and the right place for me right now to represent the people of Pennsylvania,” the AG said in remarks to reporters according to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
She was attending the annual conference of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
While a move towards a campaign for governor would very likely make her a top-tier candidate, Kane may also be considering her options down the road–including a potential challenge to Sen. Pat Toomey in 2016, or even a gubernatorial run in 2018 should Corbett be re-elected.
Denying interest at this stage of the game, however, does not necessarily mean she won’t run.
Kane has maintained a high profile in recent months, especially as she makes clear her differences from Gov. Corbett on issues such as same-sex marriage and the Penn State scandal.
That doesn’t necessarily mean she’s considering a campaign, but it certainly does indicate things will remain interesting in the lead-up to next year’s gubernatorial election.
Harrisburg — City Controller and former Democratic Candidate for Mayor Dan Miller announced today that he will not accept the Republican nomination for mayor.
Businessman Eric Papenfuse now has a clear path to election in the fall.
“With apologies to all those voters who supported me, especially those who wrote my name on their ballot, I have decided not to accept the Republican nomination,” said Miller at an afternoon press conference outside his home.
Miller made no secret of why it is he would not continue on in the general election. ”We don’t have the money. We would get outspent bigtime in the fall.” He claimed that before his opponent’s and outside expenditures in the primary he was on a “clear path” to victory.
Miller also however did not admonish himself from being unavailable at times for the race saying,” I could not devote the time to the campaign.”
There was some speculation over whether Miller would remain in the Harrisburg Mayoral race after he lost the Democratic nomination to Papenfuse by 6%. Both beat incumbent Mayor Linda Thompson.
A longtime Thompson critic, Miller was the frontrunner until the final weeks of the race when Papenfuse, aided by significant outside spending by local developers, pulled ahead.
Miller received enough write-in votes to secure a spot on the Republican ballot. Withdrawing his name this clears the way for the GOP in Harrisburg to put its own candidate in his place.
Without Miller or a potential Republican challenger, the race is a three-way matchup pitting Papenfuse against former Republican nominee and current Independent Nevin Mindlin, and late coming Independent Nathaniel Curtis.
Curtis’s campaign though could be in jeopardy right out of the gate though given that he does not meet the city’s residency requirement.
Being loud is the Pa. Democratic Party’s job description. Loud about Gov. Tom Corbett, loud about the GOP-controlled legislature and more.
But when it comes to staff changes, the party tends to be quiet. In the past months, as well-funded gubernatorial campaigns have scooped up available operatives, the Pa. Dems worked to keep in place much of its staff from the 2012 cycle and replace those who left.
State College native Elena Cross, 27, took the reigns of the state party as its Executive Director in March.
“We have a chance here to break the cycle, and that’s what I’m focused on,” she said. Pa. has cycled between Democratic and Republican governors every 8 years since the dawn of the postwar era.
Her predecessor, Kevin Washo, held the position from 2010 to 2012 and has taken a position with the consulting firm New Partners. Mary Isenhour held the post during Gov. Ed Rendell’s tenure. She co-founded a consulting firm and currently advises Tom Wolf, the former Pa. Revenue Secretary who is running for governor.
“It’s been smooth sailing as far as the transition,” Cross said. She served a few months as ED on an interim basis and became permanent in May.
She worked last cycle as the party’s Political and Targeting Director. In 2010 she was a regional director for the House Democratic Campaign Committee; she managed a 2009 state Senate special election in Schuylkill County; and worked for PA-5 congressional hopeful Bill Cahir in 2008. Prior to graduating from Penn State in 2008, she worked briefly on John Edwards’ presidential campaign in New Hampshire.
Her speciality is data-based campaigning. She was profiled in Slate last year when she directed the party’s effort to obtain drivers licenses for Democratic voters who would have affected by the new voter ID requirement (which was later blocked by a state judge). Her efforts earned her a spot on PoliticsPA’s list of Rising Stars: 30 Under 30.
Now, she oversees a shop that is one of the most active – and loudest – in all 50 states. They interact with the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Governors Association daily.
“It’s no secret we’re communications and research based. We’re one of the most research-focused state parties in the country,” she said. “We’re going to keep on building our data infrastructure.”
Finance Director
When Allyson Schwartz hired the state party’s Finance Director Aubrey Montgomery in December, it kicked off the speculation that culminated in the Congresswoman’s bid for Governor.
Her successor is Dylan Gaffney, 28, who spent the latter part of the 2012 campaign cycle raising money for Manan Trivedi. Trivedi brought in $1.3 million in his challenge to Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Chester).
The Ohio native raised money for Florida Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Kendrick Meek in 2010, and worked at a DC consulting firm and for House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer’s campaign in 2011.
Party Chairman Jim Burn and the party staffed helped boost each statewide Democrat to victory in 2012, plus picked up three state Senate seats. The party fell flat in the state House, gaining no seats, and lost a member of the congressional delegation in Rep. Mark Critz.
Regardless of whether the law requiring voters to show photo ID at the polls is upheld in Commonwealth Court, the law will not be in effect for any November 2013 elections taking place. The state’s Attorney General office agreed to allow a temporary injunction against the law to stand for the remainder of the current election cycle.
In closing arguments, the state nevertheless argued that the plaintiff had not sufficiently proved the unconstitutionality of PA’s voter ID law. They said that the state had made the identification necessary for voting under the new law abundantly available to voters.
The state, during a period of soft rollout ahead of the November 2012 election, spent 5 million dollars to educate the public about the law. They as well in September of last year increased the number of allowed IDs to include nursing home and college IDs with expiration dates.
The plaintiff, represented by the ACLU, NAACP, League of Women Voters, and several other non-profit organizations claimed not only that the law was unconstitutional but that its implementation was insufficient to prevent voter disenfranchisement.
Jennifer Clarke, executive director of the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia and lawyer for the plaintiff, was quoted in the Morning Call as saying to Judge Bernard L. McGinley that the law is “unreasonably and unnecessarily burdensome,” and said it infringes upon Pennsylvania citizens’ right to vote.
Over the course of the trial both sides brought officials and experts to testify on their behalf. Bernard Siskin, a Philadelphia statistician, argued that the voter ID law had disenfranchised up to 500,000 commonwealth voters.
This was rebutted by the state’s statistician, William Wecker, who argued that the testimony of Siskin was lacking in consideration of IDs other than driver’s licenses and PA Department of State IDs.
It is now up to Judge McGinley to decide. He has stated he will make a ruling by August 19th. Both sides in the trial have announced their intent to appeal the ruling to the State Supreme Court should they lose.
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