Search
Close this search box.

July 23rd Playbook

Americans for Prosperity endorses candidates for the PA General Assembly for the first time, while a Rasmussen poll shows Biden leading Trump by 3 points in the state. Here is the Playbook.

Americans for Prosperity Endorses PA General Assembly Candidates for 1st Time: Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania is backing 12 candidates for the state House and Senate including state Sen. John DiSanto (R-Dauphin) and state Rep. Andrew Lewis (R-Dauphin).

Rasmussen: Biden 48, Trump 45: Former Vice President Joe Biden leads by 3 points over President Donald Trump in the Pennsylvania poll where 50% approve of the president’s job performance.

Barletta To Lead PA GOP Delegation at Convention: The former Luzerne County Congressman and Trump ally wrote in a tweet on Saturday that he’s ready to work to re-elect the president.

For results on races called prior to today, check out previous Playbooks starting from June 3.

Primary Election Update: 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD22 Dem: State Rep. Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) leads Enid Santiago by 55 votes, which is slightly more than 1%, in this majority Latino district, according to county website results. Lehigh Valley Live reports that although Schweyer declared victory in the race, Santiago is calling for a special election for the seat. 

LEADER: HD75 GOP: Mike Armanini holds a 3 point lead over Lisa Becker in the three candidate race to succeed state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield). The winner will face Democrat Ryan Grimm in the fall for the GOP friendly district. 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD175 Dem: State Rep. Mary Isaacson (D-Philadelphia) who holds a 1,108 vote lead, 7%, over Vanessa McGrath, Jeff Dempsey, and Andre Del Valle in the four candidate primary among in-person votes, declared victory in the primary. 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD182 Dem: State Rep. Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia), who leads challenger Marisa Shaaban by 2,828 votes, 15%, declared victory in the primary. The GOP candidate in this safe Dem district is Drew Murray. 

INCUMBENT TRAILS: HD188 Dem: Rick Krajewski holds a 2,625 vote, 21%, lead over state Rep. James Roebuck Jr. (D-Philadelphia) in the four candidate primary and declared victory in the race.

LEADER: TOSSUP: HD198 Dem: Darisha Parker now holds a 273 vote lead in the primary over Bernard Williams, while Fareed Abdullah and Supreme Dow also trail for the seat held by outgoing state Rep. Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia). 

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Gov. Tom Wolf cited his emergency powers to withhold millions from a Pa. county. Now it’s suing.
AP: County sues Wolf, seeking $13M in virus funding he withheld
AP: Pa. won’t allow Blue Jays to play at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park
Patriot News: Rally held at Capitol to protest mask mandates, Gov. Wolf’s coronavirus restrictions
Patriot News: Dr. Rachel Levine remains ‘laser focused’ despite critics, insults: ’Their health is still important to me’
Patriot News: Lebanon County commissioners file suit over Gov. Wolf’s denial of nearly $13M in federal funds
Patriot News: Pa. legislator says he’s ‘stunned’ Liquor Control Board is continuing court battle to block information on licenses
Patriot News: With e-bikes becoming more popular, Pa. lawmakers want to regulate where you can ride them
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf responds to mocking of Dr. Rachel Levine in Bloomsburg Fair social media post
Patriot News: Bipartisan group of former govs, others team up to remind Pa. voters of their safe voting options 
Patriot News: Where are Pennsylvania’s 103,396 coronavirus cases? July 22 map, county-by-county breakdown 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. lawmakers join bipartisan vote on public lands bill; Trump to sign it
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. transit advocates, unions call on Casey, Toomey to beef up public transit funding in next coronavirus relief package
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As schools waffle on reopening, teachers ask: Where will the subs be?
Inquirer: Joe Biden adds more Pennsylvania staffers, including Western Pa. operatives 
Inquirer: Coronavirus has made Trump’s Republican convention complicated. We asked Pa. and N.J. members of Congress if they’re going. 
Inquirer: Attorney Cynthia Baldwin was formally reprimanded for her handling of the Jerry Sandusky scandal at Penn State  
Vice News: How Do You Campaign During a Pandemic? By Playing Guitar Badly and Cooking on Facebook Live. 
KDKA: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Says Pa.’s Minimum Wage Is Now Less Than Half Best Buy’s Starting Hourly Pay
KDKA: Tom Ridge, The First Homeland Security Secretary, Says He’d Likely Resign Before Letting Federal Agents Into American Cities 
PLSReporter: Lebanon County files suit over Wolf decision to block CARES Act funds
PLSReporter: With federal action looming, state actors differ on approach to sweeping liability shield
PLSReporter: COVID-19 by the numbers: A statewide look at the coronavirus in Pa.
Post-Gazette: Ridge: ‘It would be a cold day in hell’ before I’d let ‘uninvited’ federal agents into cities 
Post-Gazette: Auditor General calls for change to state’s charter school law after review of PA Cyber, Lincoln Park 
Fox News: Pa. won’t allow Blue Jays to play at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park
Delaware Valley Journal: Toomey Defends Trump’s Suggestion of Sending Federal Troops to Philly  
Delaware Valley Journal: Toomey: Trump Should Pardon Michael Flynn
StateImpactPA: AG charges two pipeline companies over spills in Washington County
City Paper: Gov. Wolf criticizes the “relentless series of vile slurs” directed at Health Secretary Levine  
National Journal: Hotline’s 2020 House Power Rankings
National Journal: Comparing 2016 and 2020 polling
National Journal: 2020 swing states
National Journal: Biden Campaign Expands Ad Buys in 6 Battleground States
The Hill: Former Homeland Security secretary says DHS not meant to be ‘president’s personal militia’
The Hill: Republicans fear Trump might be too successful with attacks on mail-in voting
CBS News: All five of Pa.’s living former governors team up for ballot casting safety
CNN: Ex-DHS chief says Trump’s plan ‘like a reality TV approach’
CNN: Judge rejects plea to release immigrant families in detention due to Covid-19
The Center Square: Former Pennsylvania congressman, House leader launch voter education campaign 

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Business Journal: U.S. Rep. Evans: Next round of PPP should focus on Black and Latino-owned businesses 
Inquirer: Canceling big parades but allowing protests is ‘unconstitutional,’ U.S. Attorney McSwain tells Kenney 
Inquirer: Philly Free Library director Siobhan Reardon is under growing pressure to quit amid racial discrimination complaints 
Inquirer: Keeping Columbus statue at Marconi Plaza would be ‘completely unsafe,’ Philly says in removal proposal 
Inquirer: Philly SWAT officer seen pepper spraying kneeling protesters on I-676 turns himself in and will be charged 
Inquirer: 16 former and current Philly cops disciplined for offensive Facebook posts sue, saying they were victims of discrimination 
Inquirer: Plans reveal Hilco’s intent to reshape Philadelphia refinery landscape 
Inquirer: Her car was ‘courtesy’ towed to an illegal spot then ticketed by PPA. The city wants $300 in fines and penalties. 
Inquirer: Philly officer who pepper sprayed kneeling protesters will be charged | Morning Newsletter 
WHYY Newsworks: ‘What’s next?’ Rage greets city plan to remove Marconi Plaza’s Christopher Columbus statue 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly region’s COVID cases were 7 times higher than originally recorded, CDC finds 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly mulls later start time for high schoolers amid pandemic planning
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus recovery: Lag in Montco lab results for COVID tests; cases rise in Chesco 
Philadelphia Tribune: NAACP condemns Trump’s threat to deploy federal agents in Philly, says they would targets Blacks
Philadelphia Tribune: Lincoln U. Board of Trustees schedules new vote on Brenda Allen’s contract
Philly Voice: Fired Philly cop, seen on video pepper-spraying I-676 protesters, now charged with assault
Billy Penn: Free Library director expected to resign within the week over discrimination allegations 
KYW Newsradio: Cop who pepper sprayed Black Lives Matter protesters charged with assault
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia School District offers completely online option as part of its back-to-school plans
KYW Newsradio: KYW Exclusive: Philadelphia Archdiocese sends memo outlining high school reopening plans to teachers

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Folcroft decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County’s new executive director outlines his goals 
Delco Daily Times: Sens. Kearney, Williams to host Racial Equity Tour event 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County and region rally around reopening 
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus positivity rate declining in Montgomery County, according to latest data
Levittown Now: Former Congressman Patrick Murphy, State House Leader Launch Voter Education Campaign
Inquirer: A Delco town has voted to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus recovery: Lag in Montco lab results for COVID tests; cases rise in Chesco
KYW Newsradio: Several suburban school districts present preliminary reopening plans
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown parents urged to take survey for school reopening 
Bucks County Courier Times: COVID-19 in Bucks, Montgomery counties steady rise 
Bucks County Courier Times: In split vote, Central Bucks approves school reopening plan offering several options
Daily Local News: Public hearing on in-school instruction set July 28 in West Chester; Coatesville sets reopening plan

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Gov. Wolf denies Blue Jays’ pitch to play at PNC Park 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council votes to recommend four police reform bills 
Post-Gazette: PPS to consider starting school year virtually amid rising COVID-19 cases 
Post-Gazette: Auditor General calls for change to state’s charter school law after review of PA Cyber, Lincoln Park
Post-Gazette: PWSA: Lead levels are greatly reduced in Pittsburgh’s water supply 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny’s daily COVID-19 cases fall below 100; county to monitor businesses with compliance team
City Paper: Ballot question will decide if Pittsburgh should force police to cooperate with review board investigations
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh council set to enact police reforms before summer recess
Tribune Review: Report: White House warns Pittsburgh, other cities to get ‘aggressive’ against coronavirus 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County launching team to monitor businesses for coronavirus safety guidelines 
Tribune Review: State health officials won’t allow Blue Jays to use PNC Park  
Tribune Review: VoteSafe Pennsylvania aims to help voters access safe options for election
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 96 new coronavirus cases, 8 deaths
KDKA: Pa. Dept. Of Health Won’t Allow Toronto Blue Jays To Play At PNC Park 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Creates ‘COVID Field Response Team’ To See Which Businesses Aren’t Following Coronavirus Orders 
KDKA: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Says Pa.’s Minimum Wage Is Now Less Than Half Best Buy’s Starting Hourly Pay 
KDKA: Tom Ridge, The First Homeland Security Secretary, Says He’d Likely Resign Before Letting Federal Agents Into American Cities 
KDKA: Judge Holds Hearing On Whether Allegheny Co. Courthouse Is Safe From Coronavirus 
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools To Consider Beginning School Year Online 
KDKA: U.S. Attorney’s Office Creates Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition 
KDKA: ‘The Brink Of Devastation:’ Local Restaurants Struggling To Hang On During Pandemic 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Announces 8 Additional Deaths, Countywide Coronavirus Toll Grows To 217
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh’s unemployment went from 3.5% in April 2019 to 16.4% a year later. Here’s how workforce development groups are adjusting to the changes.
Pittsburgh Business Times: What Allegheny County says about Blue Jays not playing at PNC Park 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny County officials express optimism Covid-19 surge receding 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny County to visit bars, restaurants to check compliance with Covid-19 rules
WESA: City School District Seeks Public Input On Full Remote Learning To Start School Year 
WESA: PWSA Announces Lowest Lead Levels In More Than 20 Years 
WESA: Black Lives Matter Movement Continues ‘The Spirit Of John Lewis,’ Says Longtime Pittsburgh Activist

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Washington County Salary Board eliminates director’s position
Observer-Reporter: County Commissioners award $3.1 million contact for Canonsburg Lake bridge project
Observer-Reporter: Bi-partisan coalition promotes safe voting in Nov. 3 contest   
Beaver County Times: Manning tests negative to COVID; remains skeptical of results 
Beaver County Times: Nursing home cases rise as universal testing continues
Post-Gazette: Pa. AG: Two gas pipeline companies charged with polluting Washington County waterway
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County sees 21 new coronavirus cases, 1 new death
Tribune Review: AG Shapiro charges 2 drilling companies with eco-crimes in Washington County
Indiana Gazette: Former Pennsylvania congressman, House leader launch voter education campaign
Altoona Mirror: Right to Know bill set for veto
Altoona Mirror: COVID differences steep for minority populations
Somerset Daily American: Former Pennsylvania congressman, House leader launch voter education campaign
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown to receive $10.9M for sewer project 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown center helps with COVID-19 control; Blair adds 10 new cases

NEPA
Citizens Voice: LGBTQ groups slap Bloomsburg Fair with “demand letter” over controversial Facebook post 
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County election board appoints new chairperson 
Citizens Voice: County buildings will close until Aug. 3 over coronavirus concerns 
Citizens Voice: County shutdown: What’s closed?
Citizens Voice: 2 new COVID-19 cases in Luzerne County; 631 statewide
Times-Tribune: LGBTQ groups slap Bloomsburg Fair with ‘demand letter’ over controversial Facebook post 
Times-Tribune: Federal officials tout opportunity zone potential, discuss blight during Scranton visit 
Times-Tribune: Luzerne County buildings will close until Aug. 3 over coronavirus concerns 
Times-Tribune: NEPA sees only 16 new COVID-19 cases, two deaths
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Election Board suggesting mail-in voting improvements
The Times Leader: Yudichak, Kaufer hail ‘landmark’ petrochemical tax credit legislation
The Times Leader: LGBTQ groups demand apology from Bloomsburg Fair
The Times Leader: Virtual forum explores bi-county planning issues
The Times Leader: County buildings closed until Aug. 3 amid virus concerns
The Times Leader: 2 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 1 new death

South Central 
Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon County files suit over withholding of CARES Act funding
Patriot News: Rally held at Capitol to protest mask mandates, Gov. Wolf’s coronavirus restrictions
Patriot News: Lebanon County commissioners file suit over Gov. Wolf’s denial of nearly $13M in federal funds
Patriot News: Coronavirus in Pa.: 631 new cases reported, more than 103,000 overall
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 12 new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday in Cumberland County
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lebanon County sues Gov. Wolf for withholding its $13 million federal coronavirus relief dollars for defying his order 
York Daily Record: Lebanon sues over withholding of CARES funding
York Daily Record: Coronavirus updates: More than 103K cases, 7K deaths
York Dispatch: Some employees, citizens flouting mask order inside York County Judicial Center
York Dispatch: York County again reports two new deaths linked to COVID-19 as cases hit 2,067

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Likely Allentown ballot questions: Should union contracts require city council assent? Should controller inspect performance of city operations?
Morning Call: Bethlehem will expand outdoor dining areas to make up for restrictions on indoor dining
Morning Call: Allentown School District wants to reopen schools virtually
Reading Eagle: Berks County’s coronavirus contact tracing program has reached 330 people since June 5 [Ask the Eagle reports]
Reading Eagle: Berks County has 24 new coronavirus cases
WFMZ: Former Pennsylvania congressman, House leader launch voter education campaign
Express Times: Bethlehem Health Bureau to educate and reinforce coronavirus safety at city businesses
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 631 new cases bring state to 103K total; 25 more deaths reported. How deadly is COVID-19? How many contact tracers does Pennsylvania have? | Pa. coronavirus case map (07/22/20)

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County seeks grant to reduce prison population, recidivism rate
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County commissioners eye pandemic assistance for agency providers
Vice News: How Do You Campaign During a Pandemic? By Playing Guitar Badly and Cooking on Facebook Live. 
Erie Times-News: LGBT organizations send demand letter to Bloomsburg Fair
Erie Times-News: Erie County reports 8 new COVID-19 cases
Centre Daily Times: How is State College doing financially with the COVID-19 impact? Here’s what local officials said
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Centre County adds 5 new cases of COVID-19; Pa. adds 631 without Philly data

Opinion  
Jim Bognet: We need President Trump’s leadership, policies
Tom Ridge and Ted Kennedy Jr.: People with disabilities see huge job losses; will pandemic roll back ADA gains?
James Roosevelt, Jr. and Henry Scott Wallace: A 21st century New Deal 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Transparency is paramount 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Take aim at surveillance capitalism 
Mark O’Keefe: One lawmaker’s lonely quest: How many restaurant liquor licenses are there in every Pa. county? 
John L. Micek: Pittsburgh lawmaker wants Pa. to declare racism a public health crisis | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Nadia Steinzor: Governor Wolf has a choice to make about climate change 
Christine Flowers: Why the Christopher Columbus statue matters to Philly
Inga Saffron: Coronavirus intensifies the city vs. suburbs debate in Philly 
Sarah Clark Stuart and Randy LoBasso: How many preventable deaths will it take for Philly to care about bicycle safety? 
Helen Ubiñas: President Trump is a racist. That’s the whole story — and the truth. 
Salena Zito: A personal COVID-19 radar could be key to resuming daily life 
Trudy Rubin: Video: Coronavirus lessons the White House should have learned from abroad 
Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia: Stay off our streets: Federal agents storming cities undermine American ideals 
Michael J. Cozzillio and Krista J. Cozzillio: The White House press corps should boycott the return of Trump’s Coronavirus Follies
The Angry Grammarian: Is ‘master bedroom’ a racist term? As language evolves, consider history and usage. 
Rajvi Mehta: ‘New normal’ in tech industry means grappling with racism and other inequalities 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Caught in crossfire? Who do you call?

5 Responses

  1. politicspa is blocking me and allowing some imposter to steal my posting name, so I had to modify it to get posted.
    Americans for Prosperity is a fantastic group that cares about the prosperity of all human people.

  2. PoliticsPA is blocking me and allowing somebody to steal my posting name, so I had to modify it to get posted.

    Americans for Prosperity is a rightwing group that only cares about the prosperity of rich GOP corporates.

  3. Rasmussen shows a plurality of PA voters for Biden 48-45. The poll also shows a plurality believe Trump will win the election (46-43) and that their neighbors will vote for Trump (41-35). This is interesting in view of the national polls and media consensus that Biden has a commanding lead nationally. I wonder if these questions are exposing people who falsely tell pollsters they’ll vote for Biden or are undecided, but will vote for Trump in November.

  4. The R’s are writing Trump off and trying to keep the Senate for the Supreme Court choices. It’s all hands on deck at the RNC. Some think Dems could stun with the surging Senate numbers. Arizona is being written off in the Senate race. Dem is now considered a sure winner. McSally’s campaign is tanking.

Email:
  • Do you agree that ByteDance should be forced to divest TikTok?


    • Yes. It's a national security risk. (60%)
    • No. It's an app used by millions and poses no threat. (40%)
    • What's ByteDance? (0%)

    Total Voters: 30

    Loading ... Loading ...
Continue to Browser

PoliticsPA

To install tap and choose
Add to Home Screen