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What We’re Hearing
The political arm of the New Democrat Coalition is endorsing a slate of five female candidates in high-profile districts, including Ashley Ehasz in PA-01 and Janelle Stelson in PA-10.

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Top Story

1. Naps, Jokes And Younger Advisers: How Octogenarians Think Biden Can Win

“Hundreds of miles from a White House on defense about President Biden’s age, a small group of fellow octogenarians had some advice for the commander in chief: One 85-year-old prescribes plenty of naps. An 81-year-old grandfather swears by hanging out with younger advisers — such as his grandchildren. And an 80-year-old says to ignore the haters.

As Biden seeks reelection as the oldest president in history, his age has become a focal point this year, with polls showing majorities of voters in his party saying he is too old to be president and his verbal and physical stumbles under a constant spotlight. In pursuit of a second term, Biden is running against a likely general opponent in Donald Trump, 77, who has faced questions of his own about longevity and acuity, some voters in their age group are contemplating the demands of the job and how each would fare.” (Washington Post)

Related

These Muslim Activists In Pennsylvania Want To ‘Abandon Biden’ Over Gaza. “Leaders of the movement, which seeks to punish President Biden for supporting Israel and failing to call for a cease-fire in Gaza last year, gathered Monday at Independence Mall in Philadelphia.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

GOP Senate Contenders Aren’t Shy About Wanting Trump’s Approval. But In Pennsylvania, It’s Awkward. “This year, with control of the U.S. Senate on the line, would-be nominees in the Senate battlegrounds of Arizona, Montana, Michigan, Nevada and Ohio are endorsing Donald Trump in the GOP presidential primary, campaigning for him or otherwise seeking his approval. But that’s not happening in Pennsylvania, where an awkward dance between likely partners at the top of the ticket seems all but certain to continue until the music stops in November.” (AP)

Trump Allies Prepare To Infuse ‘Christian Nationalism’ In Second Administration. “An influential think tank close to Donald Trump is developing plans to infuse Christian nationalist ideas in his administration should the former president return to power, according to documents obtained by POLITICO.” (POLITICO)

Democrat Bob Casey Leads Dave McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate Race: Poll. “The Emerson College/The Hill poll found Casey, the incumbent who has served in his Senate seat since 2007, with about 49 percent to McCormick’s 39 percent, while 13 percent were undecided.” (The Hill)

U.S. Senate Candidate Asks Court To Overrule PA Dept. Of State In Rejecting Her Petition Signatures. “Brandi Tomasetti, the former secretary of Conestoga Township, filed a petition for a writ of mandamus with the Commonwealth Court on Friday acknowledging some volunteers who obtained signatures on her behalf incorrectly listed their home county on the petitions instead of listing the county where they were acquiring the signatures.” (LNP)

State

2. Pennsylvania Budget Critic Says Don’t Compete With Ohio

“Arguably one of the most memorable moments of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s recent budget address came when he demanded Pennsylvania “stop losing to friggin’ Ohio.”

Except, says one of the proposal’s key critics, that’s not the state worth competing against.

“If you want to compete with states – which by the way we are not in competition with New Jersey and New York and forget about Ohio – we’re in competition with North Carolina, Florida, Texas,” said House Republican Appropriations Chairman Seth Grove. “Those are the states we’re competing with. If we’re in competition with New York and New Jersey we’ve already lost because they are the bottom of the barrel.”” (The Center Square)

Related

Mysterious Super PACs Muddy Waters In Lehigh Valley’s Congressional Primary. “The website for Integrity Leadership Fund comes with all the trappings of a modern negative political campaign. Dominating the page is a doctored photo of Republican congressional candidate Ryan Mackenzie with an impossibly large chin. A Trump-esque personal attack scrawls above him.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Political Infighting Adds Intrigue to GOP efforts to Hold Senate Seat. “Supporters of a Republican state senatorial candidate who won the Dauphin County GOP Committee endorsement last month are now trying to ward off a primary opponent by giving him an ultimatum.” (PennLive)

PA House Chamber Water Leak Repairs Done; Now It’s The Senate’s Turn. “Repairs to damage in the Pennsylvania House chamber caused by a busted pipe above the ornate ceiling were completed a month ahead of schedule. Now the scaffolding used to do that work is moving to the Senate chamber for a project there, according to House Speaker Joanna McClinton.” (PennLive)

Six Candidates Seek To Succeed State Rep. Dawn Keefer In Race For The 92nd District. “The race to succeed state Rep. Dawn Keefer will be a crowded one.” (York Dispatch)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Scrutinizing Candidate Nomination Petitions Part Of The Political Game

“Last week, state Sen. Lisa Boscola, a Democrat who represents Northampton County’s 18th District, said her signature falsely appeared on a nomination petition for state representative candidate Taiba Sultana of Easton.

“And Mark Pinsley, the Lehigh County controller who is vying for the Democratic auditor general nomination, acknowledged that his nomination petition mistakenly included a signature of a Chester County judge who is prohibited from signing petitions for non-judicial candidates.

These are just two recent examples of the pitfalls of petitions, which are a necessary step for a candidate to get on the ballot. If there are enough questionable signatures, a candidate could be knocked off the ballot. ” (Armchair Lehigh Valley)

Related

In Pittsburgh Today, VP Harris To Unveil Plans To Distribute $5.8 Billion For Water Projects. “The White House said Tuesday’s announcement includes $3.2 billion for what’s known as the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund that can be used for upgrades to water treatment plants, water distribution and piping systems, and lead pipe replacement.” (AP)

Mayor Cherelle Parker Racked Up A $1 Million Campaign Payroll — But It’s Not Clear Who Got Paid. “Parker’s campaign and transition committee took advantage of a gray area in state and city campaign-finance laws by filing financial reports that list staff costs as withdrawals by third-party payroll services, rather than payments to specific people. Those companies then cut paychecks to the staffers.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Allegheny/Fayette Labor Council Rolls Out ’24 Recommendations, With A Few Surprises. “After meeting for more than 10 hours Friday, the region’s umbrella labor group has named its preferred candidates for state and federal office in the 2024 elections, backing just one Republican alongside a slate of Democrats.” (WESA)

Allentown Mayor: ‘No Doubt’ I’m Running For Re-Election Next Year. “As most turn their attention to a potential presidential rematch in November, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk is beginning to look at the election that comes after.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Shapiro’s Indigent Defense Funding Proposal Another Step In The Right Direction. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Tired Of Politics? Stand By These Values. (Jennifer Stefano)
• Second Act 47: Pittsburgh Finances Flirt With Disaster Once Again. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• We Can’t Allow Trump To Undermine Our Country’s Strength. (Patrick Joseph Murphy)
• Instead of Worrying About A Presidential Candidate’s Age, Focus On Their Vision For The Future. (Ray Landis)
• Why Not Pay Teachers $100,000 A Year? (Daniel Pink)
• The Fight Over Cyber Charter Money. (Tribune-Review)
• Children of a Lesser God. (Guy Ciarrocchi)

1 Thing

5. An Offer He Can’t Refuse?

“Comedian and “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver is urging Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to resign, offering him $1 million per year to do so.

Oliver railed against the conservative justice during the 11th season premiere of his weekly show Sunday, saying Thomas had made the lives of Americans “demonstrably worse” and promising him a brand new luxury recreational vehicle if he agrees to step down from the high court.” (The Hill)

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