Search
Close this search box.

10/18 Morning Buzz

The 2011/2012 legislative session is officially over in Harrisburg. PoliticsPA names its Q3 fundraising winners & losers. Rep. Tarah Toohil responds a video showing her with drug paraphernalia. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Toohil Responds to Photos Showing Her With Drug Paraphernalia (Watch Video): Today, State Rep. Tarah Toohil acknowledged the photos of her with drug paraphernalia in anonymous YouTube video has been circling among staffers in Harrisburg for a week.

Q3 Fundraising: Winners and Losers: The numbers are in. Here are the PA congressional candidates who rose and fell this quarter.

Statewide Races

Poll: Obama, Casey Lead PA: The latest survey from YouGov, a research firm that conducts polls online, found Democrats in the lead in both top-ticket races in Pa. President Obama lead Mitt Romney 51 percent to 44. Sen. Bob Casey lead Tom Smith 48 percent to 41.

Smith’s Mom Endorses Medicare Plan in New Ad (Watch Video): The GOP Senate hopeful released a new television spot to fight back against charges that he would be a threat to Medicare or Social Security. He also reiterates the familiar Obamacare-cuts-Medicare line of attack against Sen. Bob Casey.

AG Candidates to Debate: Republican Dave Freed and Democrat Kathleen Kane will debate on Monday. The two agreed to take the stage at Widener Law School in Harrisburg.

PA Dems, PAGOP Websites Ding AG Candidates: Both state parties took online shots at the opposing Attorney General candidate Wednesday. The PAGOP launched a new website, and the PADems posted an infographic.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette endorses Rob McCord for re-election as Pa. Treasurer.

Lancaster Intelligencer Journal endorses Eugene DePasquale for Auditor General.

Congressional Races

Following Dems, GOP Groups Leave PA-8: Following the withdrawal of a major Democratic outside groups, Republicans are pulling back plans to advertise in the 8th district race between Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) and Kathy Boockvar.

DCCC Adds $210K to PA-12 Buy: In PA-12, the DCCC has added $210,000 in ad buys in an attempt to aid Rep. Mark Critz over his opponent, attorney Keith Rothfus.

Critz, Rothfus Trade Blows in PA-12 Debate: In stark contrast with a presidential debate that will be remembered more for squabbling than substance, the Tuesday night PA-12 debate was a fast-paced one that covered several topics close to the hearts of PA-12 voters without going over time limits or fighting with the moderators.

Inquirer endorsements: The Inky has backed Democrat Kathy Boockvar against Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, and incumbents the rest of the way: Reps. Bob Brady (D-Phila), Chaka Fattah (D-Phila), Jim Gerlach (R-Chester), Pat Meehan (R-Delaware) and Allyson Schwartz (D-Montco).

Legislative Election Updates

The AARP has issued its voter guide for Pa. Senate and House races, here (its congressional race endorsements are here).

Clean Water Action also issued its 2012 endorsements, here.

SD-15: The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-PA PACE), represents over 6,100 social workers across Pennsylvania, has endorsed Dem Rob Teplitz.

SD-37: Republican Raja debuted his latest TV ad Wednesday. It’s an all positive spot that emphasizes his two daughters and his work to create “300 American jobs.”

SD-49: Dem Sean Wiley spoke at a forum hosted by the Erie Gay News – here’s the video. Spoiler: he’s for gay rights.

HD-3: The Erie Reader reports on the debate between Dem Ryan Bizzarro and Republican Jason Owen; both are running to replace retiring Rep. John Hornaman (D-Erie). Owen did very well and came out on top of the debate, by this account.

HD-16: There’s trouble for GOP challenger Kathy Coder, who is running against Rep. Rob Matzie (D-Beaver). She and her husband are paying off a $42,500 federal tax lien on their Bellevue home that was filed less than two years ago in Allegheny County Court.

Also in HD-16, CAP sent out a Sandusky mailer against Matzie (just like this one against Rep. Santarsiero). But as North Pittsburgh Politics notes, it plays much differently in this district and it’s probably not something Coder is eager to talk about. That’s because Coder’s husband Ron was the executive director of the first group home of Second Mile.

HD-44: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette endorsed Mark Scappe over Rep. Mark Mustio (R-Allegheny), citing Mustio’s negative campaign for state Senate earlier this year. Scappe’s local government experience is enough to make him a good alternative, the paper said.

HD-92: The Patriot News endorsed Republican Mike Regan in the race to replace outgoing Rep. Scott Perry (R-York), citing his resume as a U.S. marshall and his stance against legislative perks. He faces Dem Charles Comrey.

HD-106: The Patriot News endorsed incumbent Rep. John Payne (R-Dauphin) over challenger Osman Kamara, for Payne’s bipartisan approach and his views on transportation.

HD-152: Ed Rendell will host a reception for Dem Ron Kolla, who is running against Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montco), in Hatboro on Saturday.

HD-151: Will Sylianteng, the Dem challenging Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montco), unveiled this video introducing him and his family, and laying out his vision for the office.

HD-159: Jay Schirilo wrote this letter to the editor about Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland and (D-Delaware) and the recent ethics allegations the Republican made. He criticized Kirkland, a pastor, for making political statements in the church where he’s a pastor.

HD-161: Rep. Joe Hackett (R-Delaware) has been endorsed by the Philadelphia Suburban Association of Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors. He faces Dem Larry DeMarco. “We know Joe is committed to working for the interests of the people, not the status quo in government.  With an eye toward reforming state government, Joe is committed to restoring accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility, and to cutting waste, fraud and abuse,” said Michael McGraw, Executive Director.

HD-168: The Pa. Realtors PAC backed Rep. Tom Killion (R-Delaware). He faces Dem Beth Alois. “Tom is always accessible and his guiding principle as a legislator is doing what is right for the people of Pennsylvania. As both a REALTOR and a local resident, I am proud to support Tom’s re-election,” said Dominic J. Cardone, a former President of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors.

HD-177: William Dunbar, the Dem running against Rep. John Taylor (R-Phila), issued a statement about reports of a voter registration backlog. “My staff and I spent a great deal of time trying to get people registered,” he said. “It is extremely disheartening to know that someone who has properly registered, and had done so before the deadline, may not get the opportunity to exercise that right, and even more so, may not know this until they get turned away from the polls on election day.”

National
National Journal: Sleepy Pa. Senate race wakes up
National Journal: US Senate fundraising winners & losers (names Casey a loser)
Roll Call: Tom Smith Takes Advantage of National Trends With Deep Pockets

Statewide:
Capitolwire: Bill to prevent spot property reassessments near governor’s desk
Capitolwire: Human Trafficking hotline notification bill passes Legislature
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: RACP capsizes
Capitolwire: Senate OKs charter reform bill, setting up House vote
Capitolwire: Lawmakers move quickly on proposed PA tax credit program for new job creators
StateImpactPA: Pa. Attorney General seeks to dismiss ‘Gag Rule’ Lawsuit
StateImpactPA: State Supreme Court hears arguments on Pennsylvania’s new drilling law
StateImpactPA: Marcellus enters the Attorney General’s race, sort of…
StateImpactPA: “Energy facts and fibs at Presidential debate”
PA Independent: Corman on tax credit: ‘Gotta be willing to… try something new’
PA Independent: Philly’s bloated voter rolls defy logic, open door to fraud
State House Sound Bites: State’s policy on executions under scrutiny
Capitol Ideas: Rep. Tarah Toohil responds to controversial video
Capitol Ideas: Live-Blog: The last day of the 2011-12 legislative session
Capitol Ideas: Charter schools bills heads to the House

Philadelphia
John Baer, Daily News: The Ole Head in the Sand (re: the Casey campaign)
Inquirer: City leaders form agenda to seek property tax relief
Inquirer: Michelle Obama and Ann Romney’ choice of pink: a nod to women
Inquirer: Round two of debate a tough battle
Inquirer: Which Philadelphia college graduate did Romney mention in debate
Inquirer: What does body language mean in a debate
Inquirer: One debate left and the candidates have a tough road ahead
WHYY Newsworks: Second debate sees both sides firing on all cylinders

SEPA
Daily Times: Delco Republicans, Democrats support their men as President Obama, Mitt Romney go mano a mano
Daily Times: Obama recovers his nerve
Daily Times: Five nightmare scenarios for election day
Daily Times: Conservatives on debate say Obama pulled ahead of Romney
Pottstown Mercury: Pa health insurance plan stalls

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: North Huntingdon commissioners move to reduce taxes
KDKA: Pa. Supreme Court Weighs Future Of Gas Drilling

Southwest
Beaver Co Times: Coder paying off $42,500 in back taxes, tax lien on home
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Critz, Rothfus engage on issues in 12th

Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania Ave: More ads in ‘tossup’ Pennsylvania Senate race
Pennsylvania Ave: Political comedy by those in the know
Morning Call: Dent, Daugherty square off at SteelStacks

NEPA
The Times-Tribune: Scranton Chamber opposes commuter tax; poll finds 84% of respondents against it
The Times-Tribune: Casey finds himself in tight race; Pa. in play for president

South Central
Patriot News: Pennsylvania House Democrat leaders advance attack on Corbett’s probe of Sandusky
Patriot News: Election 2012: Harrisburg-area activist Gene Stilp challenges U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, former Hazleton mayor

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Casey campaigns in Erie
Centre Daily Times: Candidates cover variety of issues at forum
Centre Daily Times: Benninghoff’s payroll tax bill passes General Assembly, awaits Gov. Tom Corbett’s pen

Opinions
Pennsylvania Ave: With Pennsylvania lobbyists’ nonbribes, it’s all a matter of class
Patriot News: His background makes Mike Regan a solid choice in 92nd House race
Patriot News: Payne is choice in 106th House District race
North by Northwest: Our view: Why Erie will miss Arlen Specter
North by Northwest: Ed Mathews: Specter visited Erie regularly
Patriot News: Make the right choice this election: Vote for Obama
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: For Auditor General Eugene DePasquale

Blogs
Keystone Politics: Philly Inquirer endorses Kathy Boockvar over Mike Fitzpatrick
Keystone Politics: Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick’s “47% Moment” subject on new PA workers’ voice web ad
Keystone Politics: Get politics out of liquor licensing
Keystone Politics: PA-12: Fact-Checking Keith Rothus’ medicare disinformation
Keystone Progress: Erie redevelopment authority stalls on request for information about Janet Anderson contracts
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Abe Atiyeh Zoning, UFOs or Presidential Debate

2 Responses

  1. Please note the AARP Voters Guides are not endorsements – AARP does not endorse candidates. The voters guides give General Assembly candidates the opportunity to respond to questions about state issues and use quotes from Congressional candidates’ websites and public appearances to reflect their views on Social Security, Medicare, and retirement security.

Email:
  • Do you agree that ByteDance should be forced to divest TikTok?


    • Yes. It's a national security risk. (60%)
    • No. It's an app used by millions and poses no threat. (40%)
    • What's ByteDance? (0%)

    Total Voters: 30

    Loading ... Loading ...
Continue to Browser

PoliticsPA

To install tap and choose
Add to Home Screen