The state Democratic Party apparatus turned up the heat in recent weeks, issuing several press releases alleging that Republican D. Raja’s record of outsourcing has had a negative effect on employment trends in his companies.

Laura Olson at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the story about Governor Tom Corbett’s appointees to the panel charged with charting a course toward privatizing the state’s wine and spirits stores.

The Northeast Pennsylvania Tea Party is in the midst of a campaign against Reps. Tom Marino and Lou Barletta for their support of legislation that would create tax incentives and subsidies to encourage the use and production of natural gas vehicles.

Some presidential updates, U.S. Senate news, and a few odds and ends in this week’s Ups & Downs.

This week the PA House and Senate approved legislation that would institute stricter driving standards on Pennsylvania’s junior drivers and leaner’s permit holders. The bill is currently awaiting Governor Tom Corbett’s signature.

Tim Murphy draws a primary challenge; a Q-pac poll has good news for Corbett; Casey’s 2012 odds are assessed; and welcome to the last day of Q3.

In this week’s Politically Uncorrected column, Dr. G. Terry Madonna and Dr. Michael Young assess Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey’s re-election prospects.

Months of recruiting efforts by a small, dedicated group of conservative activists has yielded challenger Evan Feinberg, a 27 year-old native of Washington County who spent the past five years working for various conservative causes in Washington, DC.

Gene Barr may not technically begin his position as President of the PA Chamber of Commerce President until next week, but he’s already rubbing elbows with a former president.

Just in time for the September 30th Q3 deadline, Ed Rendell is ready to raise the ante in this quarter’s fundraising effort for Bob Casey. The Senator’s campaign recently blasted out an email in which the former Governor asks donors to stand up against the Tea Party.