Conor Lamb wins the PA-18 Democratic Convention to be the nominee in the special election, Stack plans to kick off his re-election campaign Tuesday, Simmons drops out of his run for the 15th Congressional district, and the ups & downs from the week.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Lamb Wins PA-18 Democratic Convention: Conor Lamb won the PA-18 Democratic convention to be the candidate for the special election on March 13th.

Stack to Kick-Off Re-Election Campaign Tuesday: Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack will officially kick-off his re-election campaign in Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Simmons Out of Congressional Run: State Representative Justin Simmons is dropping out of the race for the 15th Congressional district.

11/17 Ups & Downs: We all hope for a speedy recovery for former Governor Ridge, Saccone pulls an improbable win in the 18th Congressional district conferee process, redistricting reform gets a boost from the Supreme Court, Simmons’ missed votes become an issue, and more. See who made this week’s Ups & Downs!

Legislative Election Update
HD165: Democrat Jennifer O’Mara, the Assistant Director of University Stewardship at the University of Pennsylvania, announced her run for the seat saying, “After the rude awakening that many of us had in the 2016 general election, I recognized that voting alone is no longer good enough. We must take action to protect the most vulnerable among us and as a Representative in the Pennsylvania House, I will be a champion for those who have been forgotten and left behind.”

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Episode 32: Health scares, campaigns, gerrymanders and salamanders
StateImpact: PJM defends plan to allow coal and nuclear plants to build costs into market price
City & State: Winners and Losers for the week ending November 17

Philadelphia
Philly Tribune: City’s state lawmakers return with funding for projects
Philly Tribune: Cheyney keeps accreditation
Inquirer: Democrats get nominee for special election to succeed Murphy
Inquirer: Property tax likely here to stay in Pa. Here’s why
Philly Mag: Philly Just Lost Its Chance to Be the First to Enforce a Wage Equity Law
Philly Mag: What Leading Philly Democrats Have to Say About the Jewell Williams Harassment Allegations
Billy Penn: PPA board chairman sues newspaper over a Santa photo
Philly Voice: Philly gets a hotline for hate crimes

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Bill authorizing PFC health study heading to Trump’s desk
Bucks County Courier Times: Records: Military knew of firefighting foam hazards in 1995
Pottstown Mercury: Despite lack of accomplishments, Wolf’s re-election chances improve
Pottstown Mercury: No tax hike anticipated in 2018 Montco budget
Daily Local: Pa. OKs five Delco docs as medical marijuana prescribers

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Experts: Betting on Pennsylvania gaming expansion risky
Tribune Review: Democrats pick Conor Lamb to run against Rick Saccone for vacant House seat
Tribune Review: Long-serving Jeannette board members step down
KDKA: State Treasurer Torsella Explores Ways To Provide Retirement Savings To More People
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Orders Flags At Half-Staff To Honor Fallen Officer
WPXI: Special election set to fill the remainder of Rep. Murphy’s term
Post-Gazette: Conor Lamb is Democrats’ pick to replace Tim Murphy
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County grapples with parents on opioids
Post-Gazette: After a slow start, Pittsburgh Land Bank wants to be operational next year

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Distracted drivers in a hurry lead to most area accidents, study finds
Beaver County Times: Beaver County Commissioners propose 2018 budget
Altoona Mirror: Altoona Water Authority proposes increase in rates
Altoona Mirror: Shuster hints at run for re-election

NEPA
Times Leader: Mayor-elect Mike Lombardo gearing up for his to return to office as new mayor
Times Leader: Primary election voters received incorrect ballots
Times-Tribune: Pension board interviews disability pension administrator
Times-Tribune: County expects long-term savings with forward interest rate hedge

South Central
LNP: New Pennsylvania Link to Community Care website helps seniors & others find local services
LNP: Obsolete already? 15 years after $226.7M reconstruction of Route 30, rush hour is gridlock
Patriot News: State flags to fly at half staff for fallen officer
Patriot News: Prosecutor asks Harrisburg School Board member-elect to step down
Patriot News: Five more pipeline protesters arrested

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Judge sharply criticizes Pennsylvania state police over bid to suppress grand jury report
Morning Call: Wolf looking like ‘two-term Tom’ as 2018 approaches
Morning Call: Politics as Usual: Blame game rampant in local GOP
Reading Eagle: Week in review: Lawmakers approve bill ensuring access to cemeteries
Reading Eagle: Opponents line up to challenge Lt. Gov. Mike Stack

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: How our area legislators voted this past week
Erie Times-News: Fetterman discusses Lt. Gov candidacy during Erie visit
Erie Times-News: Erie schools wait on financial monitor
Centre Daily Times: Local schools awarded ‘Safe School’ funding
Centre Daily Times: Ex-Pa. Gov. Tom Ridge recovering from heart attack
Meadville Tribune: Legislation seeks to bar ‘spot assessments’ of properties

Opinion
Patriot News: For Republicans, Roy Moore saga is a stew of problems | Charlie Gerow
Patriot News: Women have stepped up, it’s time for America to listen | Kirstin Snow
Patriot News: Mike Turzai is running for governor. But why? | John L. Micek
Reading Eagle: Editorial: Let candidates for governor choose running mates
Inquirer: For a better Pennsylvania: Part 2 – reduce incumbent protections
Inquirer: Stop celebrating ‘the year of the woman’ – there’s still progress to be made | Editorial
Inquirer: Sheriff Williams doesn’t need to quit | Stu Bykofsky
Daily News: Sen. Menendez only ‘groped’ the public trust. Are we really OK with that? | Will Bunch
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Export-Import bank nominee in question
Post-Gazette: The price of water: Fixing PWSA is essential, and expensive
LNP: Facing a deluge of sexual harassment and assault allegations, our culture needs to change