The Trump campaign announced that Vice President Mike Pence will headline a campaign event in Camp Hill on Feb 5, while the Pennsylvania Democratic Party announces three candidates for upcoming special elections. Here is the Playbook.

Pence to Camp Hill Feb. 5: The two stops Vice President Mike Pence has planned in the state on Feb. 5 include headlining the Women for Trump event alongside Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Trump administration spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway, plus a school choice event in Philadelphia.

HD18: Harold Hayes Selected as Dem Candidate for Special Election: Bucks County Democratic Party Chairman John Cordisco said that they are confident that Hayes can flip the seat and mentioned properly funding public schools as a priority for their candidate.

HD58: Robert Prah Jr. Nominated as Dem Candidate for Special Election: In a release about his candidacy, Prah pinpointed addressing the opioid crisis, funding public schools, and ensuring the community has the police coverage that meets their needs.

HD58: Eric Davanzo Selected as GOP Candidate for Special Election: Davanzo, a union carpenter, describes himself as a “constitutional conservative” and pledges to carry-on former Rep. Justin Walsh’s record of “conservative leadership, protecting taxpayers and fighting for jobs in Western Pennsylvania.”

PA16: DePasquale, Three Local Leaders Endorse Gnibus: Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, a Democrat seeking his party’s nomination for the 10th Congressional District, state Rep. Ryan Bizzaro (D-Erie), and two Erie County Councilmembers announced their endorsement of Kristy Gnibus for the Democratic nomination for the 16th Congressional District. 

215 People’s Alliance Endorses Sanders for President: 215 People’s Alliance, “a multi-racial collaborative dedicated to fighting for equity and justice in Philadelphia,” has endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign. 

UNITE PAC Release 4 State House Endorsements: State Rep. Summer Lee’s (D-Allegheny) UNITE PAC, has endorsed Lee, state Rep. Sara Innamorato (D-Allegheny), and Democrats Jessica Benham, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the 36th state House District, and Emily Kinkead, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the 20th state House District.

Legislative Election Update: 

HD-171: Former Ferguson Township Supervisor Peter Buck announced his intentions to seek the Democratic nomination for the seat held by state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre). Benninghoff, the House Majority Whip, won his most recent reelection bid over Democrat Erin McCracken by 18 points in 2018. 

HD-122: State Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) announced his intentions to seek a sixth term in the state House. Heffley bested Democrat Kara Scott in his most recent reelection bid in 2018 by 34 points. 

HD-88: State Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) announced her intentions to seek that she a seventh term in the state House. Delozier bested Democrat Jean Marie Fosci by 16 points in her most recent reelection bid. 

HD-84: David Hines, who has 20 years of experience working with local, county, state and federal entities, announced his intentions to seek the Republican Party nomination for the state House seat held by state Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming), according to the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Everett, who announced earlier this month that he is not seeking an eighth term in the state House, coasted to victory in his most recent reelection bid by besting Democrat Linda Sosniak by 57 points. 

HD-76: Joe Waltz, former chairman of the Clinton County Democratic Committee and served 34 years as an educator, announced his intentions to seek the Democratic nomination for the seat held by state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton), according to the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. Borowicz defeated Democrat Michael Hanna Jr. for the seat in 2018 by 7 points. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Patriot News: Mike Pence to visit Cumberland County with Kellyanne Conway and Betsy DeVos 
Patriot News: Toomey discussing witness deal for Trump impeachment trial: report
New York Times: In Crucial Pennsylvania, Democrats Worry a Fracking Ban Could Sink Them
Washington Post: Toomey discusses a ‘one-for-one’ witness deal in Trump impeachment amid Bolton revelations, officials say 
WESA: As Some Senators Weigh Calling Witnesses, Toomey Sends Mixed Signals
AP:  Pennsylvania GOP endorses slate of statewide candidates
AP: Group preparing to sue EPA over Chesapeake Bay pollution
AP: Northeast governors slow to embrace regional climate pact
Inquirer: A Trump Super PAC launched a TV ad targeting Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey on impeachment
Inquirer: How does a Republican lead on election night and still lose Pennsylvania? It’s called the ‘blue shift.’
Inquirer: Pa. superintendents join to demand charter school reform ahead of Wolf’s budget proposal
WITF: Renewable natural gas? Yes, it’s a thing, and now Philly residents can get it
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Anything but certain’: County election chiefs warn lawmakers of potential hurdles in 2020 election reform
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf underlines veto threat as divided Pa. Senate passes bill blocking admin effort to shutter two centers for the intellectually disabled
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Workforce recommendations will be a key part of budget proposal, Wolf says
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: MontCo lawmaker’s mandatory minimum bill is unlikely to reduce gun violence, opponents say
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Harrisburg’s new monument a testament to 15th and 19th amendment and the old 8th Ward
PLSReporter: Wolf outlines recommendations to improve workforce development in Pa.
PLSReporter: While Boockvar insists state is prepared for election changes, county officials aren’t so sure
PLSReporter: Local leaders continue to grapple with Turzai retirement news
PLSReporter: Gov. Wolf previews budget, investments in underserved citizens
PLSReporter: 5 bills to watch for the week of January 27
Morning Call: Report: Pennsylvania’s Sen. Pat Toomey floated deal for each side to summon an impeachment witness
The Hill: Gun control group plans to spend $60M on 2020 elections
Politico: More lobbyists for 5G Action Now
Fox News: Impeachment already becoming political weapon in 2020 congressional races

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: ‘Johnny Doc’ associate sentenced to 15 months for theft, tax evasion
KYW Newsradio: SEPTA GM considers eliminating full-price cash transfers
Inquirer: ‘Johnny Doc’ ally who led Philly zoning board sentenced to more than a year in prison for nonprofit thefts
Inquirer: Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is engaged
Inquirer: Pa. superintendents join to demand charter school reform ahead of Wolf’s budget proposal
Inquirer: Teachers are refusing to enter a Philadelphia elementary school because of asbestos fears 
Billy Penn: Philly’s Methodist churches are about to split: Some accept LGBTQ people, others banish them
Philadelphia Tribune: From rent reform to property tax breaks and more, new Philly City Council sets an aggressive tone

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: LEARN coalition calls for charter school reform across region
Delco Daily Times: Wallingford-Swarthmore eyes tax increase in new budget
Pottstown Mercury: Nelly Jiminez appointed to Gov. Tom Wolf’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs 
Daily Local News: Aqua America introduces new name as it completes acquisition, PA customers will see no changes
Bucks Local News: Newtown Supervisors refuse to hire economic consultant firm to study township’s future finances
Bucks Local News: Congressman Fitzpatrick announces 2019-20 U.S. Service Academy nominations

Pittsburgh 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Peduto pushes for conversation over the opportunity costs of petrochemical development
PLSReporter: Local leaders continue to grapple with Turzai retirement news
Tribune Review: Peduto pitches gondola connecting the Strip, Hill District, Oakland
City Paper: Protesters gather in Pittsburgh to bring attention to religious oppression in India
Post-Gazette: Downtown Partnership to hold public workshop on Pittsburgh mobility plan Wednesday
Post-Gazette: City schools reviewing attendance data after chronic absenteeism rises
Post-Gazette: Leaky pipes, a multibillion dollar deal and a big philosophical question in the Aqua/Peoples merger

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Gaydos announces re-election bid, says she ‘won’t back down’
Beaver County Times: $400,000 in fire, EMS grants awarded to local companies
Beaver County Times: Ambridge, South Side, BVIU awarded computer science education grants
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Ebensburg Borough Council discusses gas line, dog park

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Feds decline to retry Ciavarella for racketeering
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre mayor presents new balanced budget
Citizens Voice: Rally calls for fair impeachment trial
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Mayor Brown presents 2020 budget, no tax hike included
Times-Tribune: The Times-Tribune examines pharmacy benefit managers

South Central 
Patriot News: Mike Pence to visit Cumberland County with Kellyanne Conway and Betsy DeVos
Patriot News: Rep. Sheryl Delozier to seek a 7th term in the Pa. House of Representatives
Patriot News: Monument planned on Pa. Capitol grounds to be nation’s first to honor expansion of voting rights
Patriot News: PennLive to end open commenting on website beginning Wednesday 
Patriot News: Consistent violence at Harrisburg schools prompts call to action for district parents
Carlisle Sentinel: Vice President Mike Pence to visit Camp Hill for Women for Trump event
Carlisle Sentinel: Tuesday event in Carlisle to explore potential creation of group to respond to bias incidents
York Daily Record: VP Pence in Pa. with Kellyanne Conway and Betsy DeVos next week: Tickets, schedule info

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Allentown runs surplus for second year, but council eyes challenging financial future 
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley activists join global day of protest against hostilities with Iran
Reading Eagle: Berks County drug deaths soar in 2019 following dip the previous year

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Hines is candidate for 84th District House 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Waltz seeks nomination for 76th District House
Erie Times-News: Erie County executive to detail ‘State of the County’ 
Centre Daily Times: Former Ferguson Township supervisor to challenge Benninghoff for state House seat

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Recalling a horror’s end: Auschwitz liberation came 75 years ago today
Inquirer Editorial Board: Cities should stop driving away food trucks
John L. Micek: Think twice before you yell at the ref. Pa. House bill would make that harassment a crime | Monday Morning Coffee
Josh McNeil: Chester County, other suburbs can lead way on environmental issues 
Lou Rodriguez: Rebuild could offer blueprint for more diverse Philadelphia construction industry 
Casey Paylor: I remember Jim Kenney dancing with the Mummers. Now he’s forgotten his South Philly roots. | Perspective
Sarah Jordan: Long Bright River
Dick Polman: The Trump trial is democracy’s ultimate stress test 
Kathleen McDonough: Nelson Pérez helped St. William church evolve. Up next: the whole Archdiocese of Philadelphia. | Perspective
Joseph N. DiStefano: Can this investor raise $1.1 billion for building gene therapy factories near King of Prussia?
Christine Speer Lejeune: Philly Needs More Surveillance Cameras. Now.
Ernest Owens: It’s Totally Human to Mourn Complicated Figures Like Kobe Bryant
David Hickton: Countering automation without representation
Chris Kelly: Bolton leak sinks ‘Trumptanic’ defense
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Facial recognition doesn’t fly