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☑️  Election Day. LFG.

🎶  Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. People Have The Power. Remember Patti Smith’s tune as you go to the polls.

PA Weather
☀️ Erie | Mostly Sunny, 56
🌤️ State College | Increasing Clouds, 67
🌤️ Allentown | Increasing Clouds, 70

PA Sports
⚾ Phillies (29-18) | Colorado 9-3 | Tue-Thu vs. Colorado
⚾ Pirates (15-33) | Cincinnati 1-7 | Tue-Wed vs. Cincinnati
⚽ Union (9-2-3) | Wed vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (US Open Cup)

PA Money | Futures (as of 7:38 a.m.)
💰 Dow 🔼 +8.00 | NASDAQ 🔽 -49.50 | S&P 🔽 -10.00

🔊  What We’re Hearing. “The only thing that’s going to save Social Security,” former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley told WESA that afternoon, “is if the voices of the people are heard.”

🗞️  The PoliticsPA Playbook is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.

 

Top Story

1. Races For Philly District Attorney and Pittsburgh Mayor Take Center Stage In Pennsylvania’s Primary

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh: Five charts and two families at the center of the school choice debate - WHYY

“Voters on Tuesday will choose new candidates to run for some of the top jobs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with the winners of the Democratic primaries all but assured of victory in November in the two heavily Democratic cities.

In Philadelphia, Larry Krasner is seeking a third term as district attorney of the nation’s sixth-most populous city.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, the city’s first Black mayor, is seeking a second term. Both are Democrats who originally ran as progressives and face a primary challenger.” (AP)

Elsewhere

Smucker Backs Medicaid Work Requirement; Analysts Predict Widespread Coverage Losses in PA. “Republicans are still negotiating the “big beautiful” budget bill that Speaker Mike Johnson wants to pass out of the House before lawmakers leave D.C. for Memorial Day. To appeal to GOP lawmakers intent on cutting federal spending, the bill will be altered to advance the start date for a work requirement for Medicaid enrollees to 2027. Lancaster County Rep. Lloyd Smucker would welcome that change.” (LNP)

A Comprehensive New Data Analysis Into Why Harris Lost in 2024. “The Catalist “What Happened” report, shared first exclusively with The Cook Political Report, finds that Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 loss was due to two key factors.” (Cook Political Report)

Fetterman Style Made Him Famous, but a Tough Fit for the Senate. “After John Fetterman won a dramatic Senate race in 2022, his political research team reviewed potential vulnerabilities and flagged one concern that now sounds prescient. A pile of anecdotes, news stories, and data points suggested that Fetterman had often been absent from his two earlier public offices, according to three former aides with direct knowledge of the review, which has not previously been reported.” (Bloomberg)

Pennsylvania Progressive Group Pressures John Fetterman to Resign. “U.S. Sen. John Fetterman faces a new call to resign from Indivisible Pennsylvania, with the Keystone State progressive group claiming the Democratic senator isn’t performing his duties amid recent reports of concerns about his health and behavior.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

 

State

2. Primary 2025: What We’re Watching

A Brief History of the "I Voted" Sticker

“It’s Municipal Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania.

For many of you, there are few, if any, glamour races on the ballot. Just mayor, school board, city council, various judicial offices, district attorney … or as we like to think about it … the people who really make the decisions that affect your day-to-day life.

Others, mostly in the Commonwealth’s larger cities, have an opportunity to select candidates to represent their party for County Executive, Mayor, Judge, or District Attorney in the November election.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

High-Stakes Pittsburgh Mayor’s Race, Key Court Seats on the Ballot as Voters Head to the Polls. “As polls open across Pennsylvania this morning, voters in Allegheny County are facing critical choices that could shape their courts, the county’s legislature and the future of Pittsburgh for years to come.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

A Complete Guide to Candidates for Commonwealth and Superior Courts. “Pennsylvania’s two intermediate appellate courts have the power to affirm or reverse decisions made in lower courts. Their rulings can be appealed to the state Supreme Court, Pennsylvania’s court of last resort.” (Spotlight PA)

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Demands End to State’s ‘Two-Party Monopoly’. “The Board of Directors of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA) voted to sign a letter from a coalition of independent, third-party voters that condemns the state’s two-party political system.” (WHTM)

 

Around The Commonwealth

3. Primary 2025: Pittsburgh Mayoral Race

Corey O'Connor and Ed Gainey

“Today, we take a look at the state’s biggest mayoral race – Pittsburgh.

Incumbent Ed Gainey looks for a second term but faces a big challenge from Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor for the Democratic nomination. On the GOP side, retired police officer Tony Moreno and business owner Thomas West are competing for the nomination.

It is worth noting that incumbent mayors running for reelection in Pittsburgh have lost just once in the past century. It is also worth noting that one time was four years ago.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Primary 2025: Lancaster Mayoral Race. “Incumbent Democrat Danene Sorace is not running for reelection and two Democrats are seeking the nomination to replace her – Jaime Arroyo and Janet Diaz.” (PoliticsPA)

Hazleton’s Government Will Face Change If Voters Say Yes Tuesday. “Hazleton voters can decide the city government’s future shape on Tuesday. The city’s primary election ballots include a question that asks voters if an elected commission should study “the advisability” of Hazleton adopting a home rule charter.” (WVIA)

GOP Lawmakers Question Philly School District’s Spending. “Republican state lawmakers questioned the Philadelphia School District’s management and spending Monday, bringing in an analyst from a libertarian think tank who suggested the district needed to make budget cuts rather than increase its funding.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Sullivan County Mailed Ballots With Incorrect Information On School Board Race. “The county elections office mistakenly sent 284 mail-in ballots that instructed people to vote for no more than five candidates for school board but only four school board seats are up for election.” (WVIA)

 

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

  • In Red and Blue Pennsylvania, Primaries Matter More Than Ever. (TribLIVE
  • More Pennsylvanians Should Be Allowed to Vote in Primary Elections, Like Today’s. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
  • 9 in 10 Pennsylvanians Support Stronger Health Protections on Fracking. (Joanne Kilgour and Alison L. Steele)
  • Our School Board Elections Are Flawed and Antiquated. (Beth Ann Rosica)
  • It’s Time for Democrats to Lead on Education Again — Starting in PA. (Jorge Elorza)
  • Shapiro’s Shifting Story on Biden’s Infirmity Can’t Hide The Need to Fix Age Problem in Politics. (Michael Graham)
  • Today’s Challenges vs. Tomorrow’s Dreams: A Call for Defiant Optimism. (Jay Paterno)

 

 

1 Thing

5. HBO Late Night Host John Oliver Chooses Erie Seawolves For Rebranding Promotion

40% of All Minor League Baseball Teams Applied for a 'Last Week Tonight' Re-Brand—Here's Who 'Won'

“The host of the Sunday night HBO show presented a deeply researched segment on the wild world of Minor League Baseball promotions.

On the show, Oliver made an offer some Minor League Baseball teams couldn’t refuse. “I have a very special offer,” Oliver said. “We are willing to use all of our resources and stupidity to give one Minor League Baseball team a total rebrand.”

Through this campaign, 47 minor league teams submitted themselves for consideration in a span of two weeks. Out of those 47, the Erie Seawolves were named the winner.” (Erie Times-News)

 

 

Thank you for starting your Tuesday morning with us.
Please go vote today. And we appreciate your support of the PoliticsPA Playbook

 

 

☑️  Election Day. LFG.

🎶  Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. People Have The Power. Remember Patti Smith’s tune as you go to the polls.

PA Weather
☀️ Erie | Mostly Sunny, 56
🌤️ State College | Increasing Clouds, 67
🌤️ Allentown | Increasing Clouds, 70

PA Sports
⚾ Phillies (29-18) | Colorado 9-3 | Tue-Thu vs. Colorado
⚾ Pirates (15-33) | Cincinnati 1-7 | Tue-Wed vs. Cincinnati
⚽ Union (9-2-3) | Wed vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (US Open Cup)

PA Money | Futures (as of 7:38 a.m.)
💰 Dow 🔼 +8.00 | NASDAQ 🔽 -49.50 | S&P 🔽 -10.00

🔊  What We’re Hearing. “The only thing that’s going to save Social Security,” former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley told WESA that afternoon, “is if the voices of the people are heard.”

🗞️  The PoliticsPA Playbook is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.

 

Top Story

1. Races For Philly District Attorney and Pittsburgh Mayor Take Center Stage In Pennsylvania’s Primary

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh: Five charts and two families at the center of the school choice debate - WHYY

“Voters on Tuesday will choose new candidates to run for some of the top jobs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with the winners of the Democratic primaries all but assured of victory in November in the two heavily Democratic cities.

In Philadelphia, Larry Krasner is seeking a third term as district attorney of the nation’s sixth-most populous city.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, the city’s first Black mayor, is seeking a second term. Both are Democrats who originally ran as progressives and face a primary challenger.” (AP)

Elsewhere

Smucker Backs Medicaid Work Requirement; Analysts Predict Widespread Coverage Losses in PA. “Republicans are still negotiating the “big beautiful” budget bill that Speaker Mike Johnson wants to pass out of the House before lawmakers leave D.C. for Memorial Day. To appeal to GOP lawmakers intent on cutting federal spending, the bill will be altered to advance the start date for a work requirement for Medicaid enrollees to 2027. Lancaster County Rep. Lloyd Smucker would welcome that change.” (LNP)

A Comprehensive New Data Analysis Into Why Harris Lost in 2024. “The Catalist “What Happened” report, shared first exclusively with The Cook Political Report, finds that Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 loss was due to two key factors.” (Cook Political Report)

Fetterman Style Made Him Famous, but a Tough Fit for the Senate. “After John Fetterman won a dramatic Senate race in 2022, his political research team reviewed potential vulnerabilities and flagged one concern that now sounds prescient. A pile of anecdotes, news stories, and data points suggested that Fetterman had often been absent from his two earlier public offices, according to three former aides with direct knowledge of the review, which has not previously been reported.” (Bloomberg)

Pennsylvania Progressive Group Pressures John Fetterman to Resign. “U.S. Sen. John Fetterman faces a new call to resign from Indivisible Pennsylvania, with the Keystone State progressive group claiming the Democratic senator isn’t performing his duties amid recent reports of concerns about his health and behavior.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

 

State

2. Primary 2025: What We’re Watching

A Brief History of the "I Voted" Sticker

“It’s Municipal Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania.

For many of you, there are few, if any, glamour races on the ballot. Just mayor, school board, city council, various judicial offices, district attorney … or as we like to think about it … the people who really make the decisions that affect your day-to-day life.

Others, mostly in the Commonwealth’s larger cities, have an opportunity to select candidates to represent their party for County Executive, Mayor, Judge, or District Attorney in the November election.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

High-Stakes Pittsburgh Mayor’s Race, Key Court Seats on the Ballot as Voters Head to the Polls. “As polls open across Pennsylvania this morning, voters in Allegheny County are facing critical choices that could shape their courts, the county’s legislature and the future of Pittsburgh for years to come.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

A Complete Guide to Candidates for Commonwealth and Superior Courts. “Pennsylvania’s two intermediate appellate courts have the power to affirm or reverse decisions made in lower courts. Their rulings can be appealed to the state Supreme Court, Pennsylvania’s court of last resort.” (Spotlight PA)

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Demands End to State’s ‘Two-Party Monopoly’. “The Board of Directors of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA) voted to sign a letter from a coalition of independent, third-party voters that condemns the state’s two-party political system.” (WHTM)

 

Around The Commonwealth

3. Primary 2025: Pittsburgh Mayoral Race

Corey O'Connor and Ed Gainey

“Today, we take a look at the state’s biggest mayoral race – Pittsburgh.

Incumbent Ed Gainey looks for a second term but faces a big challenge from Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor for the Democratic nomination. On the GOP side, retired police officer Tony Moreno and business owner Thomas West are competing for the nomination.

It is worth noting that incumbent mayors running for reelection in Pittsburgh have lost just once in the past century. It is also worth noting that one time was four years ago.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Primary 2025: Lancaster Mayoral Race. “Incumbent Democrat Danene Sorace is not running for reelection and two Democrats are seeking the nomination to replace her – Jaime Arroyo and Janet Diaz.” (PoliticsPA)

Hazleton’s Government Will Face Change If Voters Say Yes Tuesday. “Hazleton voters can decide the city government’s future shape on Tuesday. The city’s primary election ballots include a question that asks voters if an elected commission should study “the advisability” of Hazleton adopting a home rule charter.” (WVIA)

GOP Lawmakers Question Philly School District’s Spending. “Republican state lawmakers questioned the Philadelphia School District’s management and spending Monday, bringing in an analyst from a libertarian think tank who suggested the district needed to make budget cuts rather than increase its funding.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Sullivan County Mailed Ballots With Incorrect Information On School Board Race. “The county elections office mistakenly sent 284 mail-in ballots that instructed people to vote for no more than five candidates for school board but only four school board seats are up for election.” (WVIA)

 

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

  • In Red and Blue Pennsylvania, Primaries Matter More Than Ever. (TribLIVE
  • More Pennsylvanians Should Be Allowed to Vote in Primary Elections, Like Today’s. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
  • 9 in 10 Pennsylvanians Support Stronger Health Protections on Fracking. (Joanne Kilgour and Alison L. Steele)
  • Our School Board Elections Are Flawed and Antiquated. (Beth Ann Rosica)
  • It’s Time for Democrats to Lead on Education Again — Starting in PA. (Jorge Elorza)
  • Shapiro’s Shifting Story on Biden’s Infirmity Can’t Hide The Need to Fix Age Problem in Politics. (Michael Graham)
  • Today’s Challenges vs. Tomorrow’s Dreams: A Call for Defiant Optimism. (Jay Paterno)

 

 

1 Thing

5. HBO Late Night Host John Oliver Chooses Erie Seawolves For Rebranding Promotion

40% of All Minor League Baseball Teams Applied for a 'Last Week Tonight' Re-Brand—Here's Who 'Won'

“The host of the Sunday night HBO show presented a deeply researched segment on the wild world of Minor League Baseball promotions.

On the show, Oliver made an offer some Minor League Baseball teams couldn’t refuse. “I have a very special offer,” Oliver said. “We are willing to use all of our resources and stupidity to give one Minor League Baseball team a total rebrand.”

Through this campaign, 47 minor league teams submitted themselves for consideration in a span of two weeks. Out of those 47, the Erie Seawolves were named the winner.” (Erie Times-News)

 

 

Thank you for starting your Tuesday morning with us.
Please go vote today. And we appreciate your support of the PoliticsPA Playbook

 

 

Email:

☑️  Election Day. LFG.

🎶  Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. People Have The Power. Remember Patti Smith’s tune as you go to the polls.

PA Weather
☀️ Erie | Mostly Sunny, 56
🌤️ State College | Increasing Clouds, 67
🌤️ Allentown | Increasing Clouds, 70

PA Sports
⚾ Phillies (29-18) | Colorado 9-3 | Tue-Thu vs. Colorado
⚾ Pirates (15-33) | Cincinnati 1-7 | Tue-Wed vs. Cincinnati
⚽ Union (9-2-3) | Wed vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (US Open Cup)

PA Money | Futures (as of 7:38 a.m.)
💰 Dow 🔼 +8.00 | NASDAQ 🔽 -49.50 | S&P 🔽 -10.00

🔊  What We’re Hearing. “The only thing that’s going to save Social Security,” former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley told WESA that afternoon, “is if the voices of the people are heard.”

🗞️  The PoliticsPA Playbook is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.

 

Top Story

1. Races For Philly District Attorney and Pittsburgh Mayor Take Center Stage In Pennsylvania’s Primary

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh: Five charts and two families at the center of the school choice debate - WHYY

“Voters on Tuesday will choose new candidates to run for some of the top jobs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with the winners of the Democratic primaries all but assured of victory in November in the two heavily Democratic cities.

In Philadelphia, Larry Krasner is seeking a third term as district attorney of the nation’s sixth-most populous city.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, the city’s first Black mayor, is seeking a second term. Both are Democrats who originally ran as progressives and face a primary challenger.” (AP)

Elsewhere

Smucker Backs Medicaid Work Requirement; Analysts Predict Widespread Coverage Losses in PA. “Republicans are still negotiating the “big beautiful” budget bill that Speaker Mike Johnson wants to pass out of the House before lawmakers leave D.C. for Memorial Day. To appeal to GOP lawmakers intent on cutting federal spending, the bill will be altered to advance the start date for a work requirement for Medicaid enrollees to 2027. Lancaster County Rep. Lloyd Smucker would welcome that change.” (LNP)

A Comprehensive New Data Analysis Into Why Harris Lost in 2024. “The Catalist “What Happened” report, shared first exclusively with The Cook Political Report, finds that Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 loss was due to two key factors.” (Cook Political Report)

Fetterman Style Made Him Famous, but a Tough Fit for the Senate. “After John Fetterman won a dramatic Senate race in 2022, his political research team reviewed potential vulnerabilities and flagged one concern that now sounds prescient. A pile of anecdotes, news stories, and data points suggested that Fetterman had often been absent from his two earlier public offices, according to three former aides with direct knowledge of the review, which has not previously been reported.” (Bloomberg)

Pennsylvania Progressive Group Pressures John Fetterman to Resign. “U.S. Sen. John Fetterman faces a new call to resign from Indivisible Pennsylvania, with the Keystone State progressive group claiming the Democratic senator isn’t performing his duties amid recent reports of concerns about his health and behavior.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

 

State

2. Primary 2025: What We’re Watching

A Brief History of the "I Voted" Sticker

“It’s Municipal Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania.

For many of you, there are few, if any, glamour races on the ballot. Just mayor, school board, city council, various judicial offices, district attorney … or as we like to think about it … the people who really make the decisions that affect your day-to-day life.

Others, mostly in the Commonwealth’s larger cities, have an opportunity to select candidates to represent their party for County Executive, Mayor, Judge, or District Attorney in the November election.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

High-Stakes Pittsburgh Mayor’s Race, Key Court Seats on the Ballot as Voters Head to the Polls. “As polls open across Pennsylvania this morning, voters in Allegheny County are facing critical choices that could shape their courts, the county’s legislature and the future of Pittsburgh for years to come.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

A Complete Guide to Candidates for Commonwealth and Superior Courts. “Pennsylvania’s two intermediate appellate courts have the power to affirm or reverse decisions made in lower courts. Their rulings can be appealed to the state Supreme Court, Pennsylvania’s court of last resort.” (Spotlight PA)

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Demands End to State’s ‘Two-Party Monopoly’. “The Board of Directors of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA) voted to sign a letter from a coalition of independent, third-party voters that condemns the state’s two-party political system.” (WHTM)

 

Around The Commonwealth

3. Primary 2025: Pittsburgh Mayoral Race

Corey O'Connor and Ed Gainey

“Today, we take a look at the state’s biggest mayoral race – Pittsburgh.

Incumbent Ed Gainey looks for a second term but faces a big challenge from Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor for the Democratic nomination. On the GOP side, retired police officer Tony Moreno and business owner Thomas West are competing for the nomination.

It is worth noting that incumbent mayors running for reelection in Pittsburgh have lost just once in the past century. It is also worth noting that one time was four years ago.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Primary 2025: Lancaster Mayoral Race. “Incumbent Democrat Danene Sorace is not running for reelection and two Democrats are seeking the nomination to replace her – Jaime Arroyo and Janet Diaz.” (PoliticsPA)

Hazleton’s Government Will Face Change If Voters Say Yes Tuesday. “Hazleton voters can decide the city government’s future shape on Tuesday. The city’s primary election ballots include a question that asks voters if an elected commission should study “the advisability” of Hazleton adopting a home rule charter.” (WVIA)

GOP Lawmakers Question Philly School District’s Spending. “Republican state lawmakers questioned the Philadelphia School District’s management and spending Monday, bringing in an analyst from a libertarian think tank who suggested the district needed to make budget cuts rather than increase its funding.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Sullivan County Mailed Ballots With Incorrect Information On School Board Race. “The county elections office mistakenly sent 284 mail-in ballots that instructed people to vote for no more than five candidates for school board but only four school board seats are up for election.” (WVIA)

 

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

  • In Red and Blue Pennsylvania, Primaries Matter More Than Ever. (TribLIVE
  • More Pennsylvanians Should Be Allowed to Vote in Primary Elections, Like Today’s. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
  • 9 in 10 Pennsylvanians Support Stronger Health Protections on Fracking. (Joanne Kilgour and Alison L. Steele)
  • Our School Board Elections Are Flawed and Antiquated. (Beth Ann Rosica)
  • It’s Time for Democrats to Lead on Education Again — Starting in PA. (Jorge Elorza)
  • Shapiro’s Shifting Story on Biden’s Infirmity Can’t Hide The Need to Fix Age Problem in Politics. (Michael Graham)
  • Today’s Challenges vs. Tomorrow’s Dreams: A Call for Defiant Optimism. (Jay Paterno)

 

 

1 Thing

5. HBO Late Night Host John Oliver Chooses Erie Seawolves For Rebranding Promotion

40% of All Minor League Baseball Teams Applied for a 'Last Week Tonight' Re-Brand—Here's Who 'Won'

“The host of the Sunday night HBO show presented a deeply researched segment on the wild world of Minor League Baseball promotions.

On the show, Oliver made an offer some Minor League Baseball teams couldn’t refuse. “I have a very special offer,” Oliver said. “We are willing to use all of our resources and stupidity to give one Minor League Baseball team a total rebrand.”

Through this campaign, 47 minor league teams submitted themselves for consideration in a span of two weeks. Out of those 47, the Erie Seawolves were named the winner.” (Erie Times-News)

 

 

Thank you for starting your Tuesday morning with us.
Please go vote today. And we appreciate your support of the PoliticsPA Playbook

 

 

☑️  Election Day. LFG.

🎶  Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. People Have The Power. Remember Patti Smith’s tune as you go to the polls.

PA Weather
☀️ Erie | Mostly Sunny, 56
🌤️ State College | Increasing Clouds, 67
🌤️ Allentown | Increasing Clouds, 70

PA Sports
⚾ Phillies (29-18) | Colorado 9-3 | Tue-Thu vs. Colorado
⚾ Pirates (15-33) | Cincinnati 1-7 | Tue-Wed vs. Cincinnati
⚽ Union (9-2-3) | Wed vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (US Open Cup)

PA Money | Futures (as of 7:38 a.m.)
💰 Dow 🔼 +8.00 | NASDAQ 🔽 -49.50 | S&P 🔽 -10.00

🔊  What We’re Hearing. “The only thing that’s going to save Social Security,” former SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley told WESA that afternoon, “is if the voices of the people are heard.”

🗞️  The PoliticsPA Playbook is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.

 

Top Story

1. Races For Philly District Attorney and Pittsburgh Mayor Take Center Stage In Pennsylvania’s Primary

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh: Five charts and two families at the center of the school choice debate - WHYY

“Voters on Tuesday will choose new candidates to run for some of the top jobs in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with the winners of the Democratic primaries all but assured of victory in November in the two heavily Democratic cities.

In Philadelphia, Larry Krasner is seeking a third term as district attorney of the nation’s sixth-most populous city.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, the city’s first Black mayor, is seeking a second term. Both are Democrats who originally ran as progressives and face a primary challenger.” (AP)

Elsewhere

Smucker Backs Medicaid Work Requirement; Analysts Predict Widespread Coverage Losses in PA. “Republicans are still negotiating the “big beautiful” budget bill that Speaker Mike Johnson wants to pass out of the House before lawmakers leave D.C. for Memorial Day. To appeal to GOP lawmakers intent on cutting federal spending, the bill will be altered to advance the start date for a work requirement for Medicaid enrollees to 2027. Lancaster County Rep. Lloyd Smucker would welcome that change.” (LNP)

A Comprehensive New Data Analysis Into Why Harris Lost in 2024. “The Catalist “What Happened” report, shared first exclusively with The Cook Political Report, finds that Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 loss was due to two key factors.” (Cook Political Report)

Fetterman Style Made Him Famous, but a Tough Fit for the Senate. “After John Fetterman won a dramatic Senate race in 2022, his political research team reviewed potential vulnerabilities and flagged one concern that now sounds prescient. A pile of anecdotes, news stories, and data points suggested that Fetterman had often been absent from his two earlier public offices, according to three former aides with direct knowledge of the review, which has not previously been reported.” (Bloomberg)

Pennsylvania Progressive Group Pressures John Fetterman to Resign. “U.S. Sen. John Fetterman faces a new call to resign from Indivisible Pennsylvania, with the Keystone State progressive group claiming the Democratic senator isn’t performing his duties amid recent reports of concerns about his health and behavior.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

 

State

2. Primary 2025: What We’re Watching

A Brief History of the "I Voted" Sticker

“It’s Municipal Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania.

For many of you, there are few, if any, glamour races on the ballot. Just mayor, school board, city council, various judicial offices, district attorney … or as we like to think about it … the people who really make the decisions that affect your day-to-day life.

Others, mostly in the Commonwealth’s larger cities, have an opportunity to select candidates to represent their party for County Executive, Mayor, Judge, or District Attorney in the November election.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

High-Stakes Pittsburgh Mayor’s Race, Key Court Seats on the Ballot as Voters Head to the Polls. “As polls open across Pennsylvania this morning, voters in Allegheny County are facing critical choices that could shape their courts, the county’s legislature and the future of Pittsburgh for years to come.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

A Complete Guide to Candidates for Commonwealth and Superior Courts. “Pennsylvania’s two intermediate appellate courts have the power to affirm or reverse decisions made in lower courts. Their rulings can be appealed to the state Supreme Court, Pennsylvania’s court of last resort.” (Spotlight PA)

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania Demands End to State’s ‘Two-Party Monopoly’. “The Board of Directors of the Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA) voted to sign a letter from a coalition of independent, third-party voters that condemns the state’s two-party political system.” (WHTM)

 

Around The Commonwealth

3. Primary 2025: Pittsburgh Mayoral Race

Corey O'Connor and Ed Gainey

“Today, we take a look at the state’s biggest mayoral race – Pittsburgh.

Incumbent Ed Gainey looks for a second term but faces a big challenge from Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor for the Democratic nomination. On the GOP side, retired police officer Tony Moreno and business owner Thomas West are competing for the nomination.

It is worth noting that incumbent mayors running for reelection in Pittsburgh have lost just once in the past century. It is also worth noting that one time was four years ago.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Primary 2025: Lancaster Mayoral Race. “Incumbent Democrat Danene Sorace is not running for reelection and two Democrats are seeking the nomination to replace her – Jaime Arroyo and Janet Diaz.” (PoliticsPA)

Hazleton’s Government Will Face Change If Voters Say Yes Tuesday. “Hazleton voters can decide the city government’s future shape on Tuesday. The city’s primary election ballots include a question that asks voters if an elected commission should study “the advisability” of Hazleton adopting a home rule charter.” (WVIA)

GOP Lawmakers Question Philly School District’s Spending. “Republican state lawmakers questioned the Philadelphia School District’s management and spending Monday, bringing in an analyst from a libertarian think tank who suggested the district needed to make budget cuts rather than increase its funding.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Sullivan County Mailed Ballots With Incorrect Information On School Board Race. “The county elections office mistakenly sent 284 mail-in ballots that instructed people to vote for no more than five candidates for school board but only four school board seats are up for election.” (WVIA)

 

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

  • In Red and Blue Pennsylvania, Primaries Matter More Than Ever. (TribLIVE
  • More Pennsylvanians Should Be Allowed to Vote in Primary Elections, Like Today’s. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
  • 9 in 10 Pennsylvanians Support Stronger Health Protections on Fracking. (Joanne Kilgour and Alison L. Steele)
  • Our School Board Elections Are Flawed and Antiquated. (Beth Ann Rosica)
  • It’s Time for Democrats to Lead on Education Again — Starting in PA. (Jorge Elorza)
  • Shapiro’s Shifting Story on Biden’s Infirmity Can’t Hide The Need to Fix Age Problem in Politics. (Michael Graham)
  • Today’s Challenges vs. Tomorrow’s Dreams: A Call for Defiant Optimism. (Jay Paterno)

 

 

1 Thing

5. HBO Late Night Host John Oliver Chooses Erie Seawolves For Rebranding Promotion

40% of All Minor League Baseball Teams Applied for a 'Last Week Tonight' Re-Brand—Here's Who 'Won'

“The host of the Sunday night HBO show presented a deeply researched segment on the wild world of Minor League Baseball promotions.

On the show, Oliver made an offer some Minor League Baseball teams couldn’t refuse. “I have a very special offer,” Oliver said. “We are willing to use all of our resources and stupidity to give one Minor League Baseball team a total rebrand.”

Through this campaign, 47 minor league teams submitted themselves for consideration in a span of two weeks. Out of those 47, the Erie Seawolves were named the winner.” (Erie Times-News)

 

 

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  • Did Josh Shapiro "Tank" His Interview for VP?


    • No. He just wasn't selected. (53%)
    • Yes. He didn't want the job. (47%)

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