September 21: Announcement Day

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What We’re Hearing
“There’s always been some reluctance on the part of some Republicans to go 2000% against Casey because we had the other Senate seat. Now the other seat is the shorts and hoodie guy and Republicans just don’t like or respect that.” – Chris Nicholas

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Sen. Christine Tartaglione and Rep. Steve Samuelson.

The Best Political News In The State
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Top Story

1. McCormick Is Expected To Announce He’s Entering Pennsylvania’s US Senate Race Today

Dave McCormick

“Republican David McCormick is expected to announce Thursday that he will enter Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race and make his second bid for the office, this time to take on Democratic Sen. Bob Casey after losing in last year’s crowded Republican primary.

McCormick’s aides have sent invites to a “special announcement” by McCormick at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh at 5 p.m. ET.” (AP)

Related

As McCormick Prepares New Senate Campaign, Abortion Questions Linger. “When former hedge fund manager David McCormick launches his bid for U.S. Senate, as he is expected to do Thursday in Pittsburgh, he won’t just be facing three-term Democratic incumbent Bob Casey.” (WESA)

The Challenge Ahead For David McCormick As He Launches His Senate Campaign. “David McCormick is running for Senate again, and this time the Republican Party is squarely behind him.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

John Fetterman to Republicans: I’ll Wear A Suit If You Don’t Shut Down The Government. “If those jagoffs in the House stop trying to shut our government down, and fully support Ukraine, then I will save democracy by wearing a suit on the Senate floor next week,” Fetterman said in a statement.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Harris Makes Political, Personal Connection With Students During College Tour. “After a rousing opening featuring a marching band, cheerleaders and students waving red and white pom poms, the crowd fell quiet when Vice President Kamala Harris asked for a show of hands: How many had grown up participating in active shooter drills in school? Most of the students in the 500-seat auditorium at Reading Area Community College raised their hands.” (Washington Post)

Harrisburg

2. State Senate Votes To Move Up PA Presidential Primary

A bill to move the date of Pennsylvania’s 2024 primary election up by five weeks to March 19 was approved today in the state Senate by a bipartisan vote of 45-2.

“As the fifth largest state in the country, we should have a stronger role in selecting the candidates for President of the United States,” said Sen. Dave Argall (R-Carbon/ Luzerne/Schuylkill), the prime sponsor of the bill. (PoliticsPA)

Related

PA Lawmakers Want To Move Up The 2024 Presidential Primary, But Still Haven’t Agreed On A New Date. “With about seven months left until Pennsylvania voters are scheduled to cast their votes in the presidential primary election, they still don’t know when they’ll be heading to the polls.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Shapiro Signs Executive Order Establishing Board To Guide The State’s Use Of Generative AI. “Governor Josh Shapiro signed an executive order Wednesday establishing a commission to guide the state’s use of generative artificial intelligence — think quick-learning chatbots like Chat GPT.” (WESA)

Gov. Shapiro’s Automatic Voter Registration Plan Gets Both Love And Hate In The Political World. “If you’re wondering how Pennsylvania’s newly-implemented automatic voter registration system rolled out by Gov. Josh Shapiro in a tour of national cable appearances Tuesday will play in the real world of big swing state elections, let’s just say time will tell.” (PennLive)

  • Pennsylvania Gov Dismisses Stephen Miller’s Automatic Voter Registration Flak: ‘That Guy’s A Dope. (The Hill)

Butt Out: PA Bill Looks To End Smoking In All Public Places. “The Pennsylvania law limiting smoking in public spaces would become far more strict through a bill proposed in the state House that seeks to eliminate all current exemptions including for bars, private clubs and on casino gaming floors.” (CNHI News)

Long Nyquist & Associates Acquires Pugliese Associates. “In a move that could make it the largest standalone government relations firm in Harrisburg, Long Nyquist & Associates (LNA) has acquired lobbying firm Pugliese Associates.” (PoliticsPA)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Innamorato, Rockey Accuse Each Other Of Extreme Politics

Sara Innamorato, Joe Rockey for ACE

Sara Innamorato, the Democratic nominee for Allegheny County executive, is attacking her Republican opponent Joe Rockey, claiming he isn’t being upfront about his conservative support.

Rockey, who has billed himself as a moderate and garnered some labor support, said Innamorato is lying and Innamorato is hiding her far left-wing history.” (Tribune-Review)

Related

Powell Thanks Voters For Their Trust In Her. “This region has a new state representative, and the election of Democrat Lindsay Powell means the Democrats will continue to control the state House of Representatives. KDKA-TV political editor Jon Delano has more on what that means.” (CBS Pittsburgh)

Planned Parenthood’s Political Arm Ramps Up Ad Campaign Focused On PA Supreme Court Race. “Planned Parenthood Votes announced it was expanding last month’s digital campaign and adding a seven-figure television ad buy. “Erased” will run across television, streaming and digital channels in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia areas.” (PA Capital-Star)

Parents, Students and Lawmakers Rally Against Book Bans in Harrisburg. “State lawmakers returned from their summer break this week and Democrats hosted a press conference speaking out against book banning. One of the speakers included Buzz Bissinger, whose book “Friday Night Lights” was recently banned due to an artificial intelligence review.” (The Keystone)

Dugan/Zappala Rematch Gets Underway As Zappala Goes Negative With Season’s First TV Ads. “Coming to your TV set soon: ads heralding the sequel to the race between incumbent Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. and his challenger, former chief public defender Matt Dugan.” (WESA)

Dynamic GOP Duo Hope to Retake Bucks County. “With two strong candidates running for county commissioner, the Bucks County GOP hopes to win the majority by defeating Democrats Bob Harvie and Diane Marseglia-Ellis in the November 7 election.” (DV Journal)

Chester Receiver Michael T. Doweary Re-Upped By PA Through Nearly End Of 2025, And Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland Is Outraged. “Commonwealth Court Judge Ellen Ceisler has extended the term for Chester Receiver Michael T. Doweary for two more years until Dec. 28, 2025.” (Delaware County Times)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

  • John Fetterman’s Questionable Taste In Clothes Is Good For The System. (Stephanie Farr)
  • Fetterman’s Hoodie Vs. Boebert’s Handsy Night: Why Republicans Can’t See Their Own Hypocrisy. (Amanda Marcotte)
  • Shutdowns, Impeachment Talk And Other Distractions Make For Bad Government. (John Baer)
  • 5 Former PA Governors Agree On Open Primaries. (Tribune-Review)
  • Effective, Useful, and Secure: Why Dush is Wrong About ERIC. (Christina Hartman)
  • Pennsylvania Farmers Need Help From Congress. (Ava Sherwood)
  • Breaking News: The 2024 Election Isn’t Tomorrow. (Stuart Rothenberg)
  • Black Male Mental Health Must Matter. (Kenneth Bourne II)
  • Stop Putting Special Interests Ahead Of Pennsylvania’s Children. (Sharon Sedlar)
  • What Is The Greatest Threat To America’s System Of Checks And Balances? (Bill Gindlesperger)
1 Thing

5. Swift Drives Voter Registration

Taylor Swift thanks fans after 2 nights of shows in Minneapolis: "Loved every second of it" - CBS Minnesota

“A Taylor Swift Instagram post drove record-breaking web traffic to Vote.org this week and helped the site register more than 35,000 new voters.

35,252 people newly registered to vote on Tuesday — a 23% jump from last year’s National Voter Registration Day, and the largest since the 2020 general election year, according to Vote.org.

There was a 115% increase in 18-year-olds registering compared to last year.
157,041 eligible voters visited the site.

“I’ve heard you raise your voices, and I know how powerful they are. Make sure you’re ready to use them in our elections this year!” (Axios)

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One Response

  1. D.A. Steve Zappala has a very good
    Reason to warn people about Black
    People…they vote…and it scares the hell
    Out of him!

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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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