Arrests, cash and an ex-wife. See who made this week’s list!
Christina Hartman. She may just be able to pull this off. According to the third quarter fundraising totals, the PA-16 Democratic nominee is keeping pace in the money race. Louis Jacobson now sees the contest as “potentially vulnerable”. In fact, this week both the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball shifted the race from “Likely Republican” to “Leans Republican”. It will take a great finish, and some help from the top of the ticket, but a victory for Hartman would be the upset of the year.
Justin Walsh. Nobody likes an October Surprise. Nevertheless, PoliticsPA reported that the Republican nominee in the open HD-58 race has some troubling incidents in the past. In 1995, Justin Walsh pled guilty to harassment. The next year, he was arrested on thirteen charges and eventually pled guilty to disorderly conduct. This Southwestern district is a prime target for Republicans since Trump is so popular in Appalachia. These revelations will make this one of the must-see legislative contests on Election Night.
Bill Shuster. It’s been a tough year or so for Congressman Shuster. Ever since Politico revealed that he’s dating a lobbyist, opponents have smelled blood in the water. Art Halvorson nearly defeated Shuster in the GOP primary, and thanks to a write-in victory in the Democratic primary, he’s getting another shot on November 8th. In order to counteract Halvorson’s personal attacks, Shuster rolled out testimonial ads featuring his daughter, son and even his ex-wife. It will be intriguing to see whether Rebecca’s commercial neutralizes any personal concerns the voters in the 9th Congressional District might have.
Brian Fitzpatrick. In their most high-profile stand-off, the GOP nominee held his own against Democrat Steve Santarsiero. The reason he’s making this list, though, has to do with his fundraising prowess. Of all the candidates, Fitzpatrick brought in the most cash in the third quarter. Of course, Santarsiero came in second but you’d always rather have more resources. Fitzpatrick came into this race with one large advantage (his last name) and two huge obstacles (a talented, experienced opponent and a polarizing presidential nominee). Considering all that, he’s done quite well given the circumstances.
Eric Papenfuse. We’ll be giving the Harrisburg Mayor a down arrow every week until he lifts his ridiculous ban of PennLive. We’re up to week nineteen.
The tweet of the week goes to director Joss Whedon.
You know, I think people are just pissed they're rebooting the Clinton administration with a female lead
— Joss Whedon (@joss) October 18, 2016
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5 Responses
Harrisburg is like Philadelphia. The choice in any Democratic Mayoral Primary is always between bad or worse.
Bill Shuster is scared enough to devote his resources to combating his reputation as an adulterous sleaze and you give him an up arrow?
Barricks, in the city of Harrisburg, they are long on useless Democrats who have “governed” the city into the ground and short on quality candidates. A primary challenge would come from an equally useless Democrat.
Ha3 better not try to work my rest-stop. I don’t want to have to reduce or prices (again).
Papenfuse is picking un-necessary fights where he does not have to. I would expect a primary challenge next time.