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July 24th Playbook

Former Vice President Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump by 11 points in PA according to the latest Fox News poll, while Biden adds four more senior staffers to his PA campaign. Here is the Playbook.

Fox News Poll: Biden 50, Trump 39: Voters trust Biden on race relations (53-to-31), coronavirus (51-to-33), and dealing with China (45-to-42), while Trump has an edge over Biden on the economy (48-to-43).

PAGOP Hires Isley As Director of Communications and Special Projects: The central-PA native most recently served as Chief of Staff to Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) before accepting this role with the state party.

Biden Adds 4 Senior Staffers in PA: The Biden campaign has brought in Larry Hailsham Jr. as the state’s Political Director, Michael Feldman as the state’s Communications Director, Nandi O’Connor and the state’s Coordinated Digital Director, and Amy Dorra to serve as the Deputy Coordinated Political Director.

PA16: Kelly Raises $175K, Gnibus $90K: The incumbent entered July with $1.09 million cash on hand, while the Democratic challenger entered the month with slightly under $60,000 cash on hand.

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

Primary Election Update:

INCUMBENT WINS HD22 Dem: State Rep. Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) fended off a challenge from Enid Santiago by 55 votes, according to county website results. Schweyer will run unopposed for the Lehigh Valley seat in November.

WINNER: HD75 GOP: Mike Armanini secured a 2 point victory in the three candidate race to succeed state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield). He will face Democrat Ryan Grimm in the fall for the GOP friendly district. 

INCUMBENT WINS: HD175 Dem: State Rep. Mary Isaacson (D-Philadelphia) won the four candidate primary over Vanessa McGrath, Jeff Dempsey, and Andre Del Valle. She will be unopposed for the seat in November. 

INCUMBENT WINS: HD182 Dem: State Rep. Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia) fended off a challenge from Marisa Shaaban in the primary. He will take on GOP candidate, Drew Murray, in this safe Dem district.

INCUMBENT LOSSES: HD188 Dem: Rick Krajewski comfortably defeated incumbent state Rep. James Roebuck Jr. (D-Philadelphia) in the four candidate primary. Krajewski will be unopposed in the fall for the seat. 

WINNER: HD198 Dem: Darisha Parker edged out a victory over Bernard Williams, Fareed Abdullah and Supreme Dow for the seat held by outgoing state Rep. Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia). Parker will be unopposed for the seat in November. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: School openings hinge on case counts, health official warns
AP: Feds accuse ex-Philly congressman Myers of stuffing ballots
AP: Pennsylvania introduces gender-neutral driver license option 
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill allowing school districts to extend property tax deadline for taxpayers
Patriot News: Pa. Senate panel explores election issues that arose from the June primary
Patriot News: Pennsylvania’s new hazard pay program will mean green for some; but leaves others green with envy
Patriot News: Feds indict ex-congressman, Philly political operative on voting fraud, bribery charges
Patriot News: Baseline heart screening education for parents, student athletes now the law in Pa.
Patriot News: PennDOT announces nonbinary designation on Pa. driver’s licenses, IDs
Patriot News: Where are Pennsylvania’s 104,358 coronavirus cases? July 23 map, county-by-county breakdown
Patriot News: Dr. Rachel Levine remains ‘positive and optimistic’ children will return to schools next month
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Hate has no place in Pennsylvania’: Wolf rebukes Bloomsburg Fair over Facebook post featuring Levine lookalike
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Health Secretary Levine explains why Pa. ordered restaurants to limit capacity, but still won’t show the data to back it up
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: These are the 10 most popular Pennsylvania state parks 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: PennDOT to offer ‘non-binary’ designation on licenses, ID cards
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court chief justice complained about a Black justice and her ‘minority agenda,’ former judge says 
Inquirer: About 90,000 Pennsylvania workers are still waiting for answers about their unemployment claims  
PLSReporter: Pa. election officials urge changes ahead of November election
PLSReporter: Wolf signs off on revised petrochemical tax credit, PTSD management program in flurry of bill signings
Morning Call: Pennsylvania’s food stamp enrollment up nearly 10% since February, and officials are bracing for more pandemic-spurred applications 
Fox News: Fox News Poll: Biden tops Trump in battlegrounds Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania 
Fox News: Pennsylvania fair’s dunk tank mocks state health official – drawing governor’s scorn
StateImpactPA: State funding aims to help businesses, schools, agencies move to cleaner fuel vehicles
KDKA: Pa. Auditor General Expecting Big Increase In Mail-In Ballots This Fall
KDKA: Around The Table: Who Will Be Joe Biden’s Running Mate?  
National Journal: Coronavirus – mask requirements and polling
The Hill: Fox News poll shows Trump trailing Biden in Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania
The Hill: Trump attacks former DHS secretary over criticism of federal crackdown
The Hill: Bloomberg’s gun control group spends $15M on campaigns in eight swing states
The Hill: Presidential ad wars bring 2020 battleground into focus
The Hill: Workers sue OSHA over conditions at meatpacking plant
Politico: Former congressman indicted on voter fraud, bribery charges
Politico: Fox News poll: Biden leads Trump by wide margins in Pennsylvania, Michigan
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania’s rate of covid-19 testing among lowest in country, data show
Washington Post: Scranton became shorthand for the past. Its reality is far more complicated.
National Review: The GOP’s Keystone Candidates

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain spent more than $75,000 to slap his name and face on billboards
Inquirer: A former Pa. congressman caught in 1970s Abscam sting has been indicted again — this time for election fraud
Inquirer: After Goya Foods’ CEO praises Trump, Philly Latinos boycott and turn to other brands 
Inquirer: Fact-checking Trump on rising murders in Philly | PolitiFact 
Inquirer: Free Library director Siobhan Reardon has resigned following complaints about workplace racial discrimination
Inquirer: After an outcry, Philly’s school reopening plan is put on hold 
Inquirer: Pa. says school reopenings could hinge on crowd limits at bars and eateries; Philly ‘unlikely’ to allow indoor dining Aug. 1 amid coronavirus upticks 
Inquirer: Airlines expect to layoff 2,100 PHL employees due to the coronavirus; it’s opening day for the Phillies; Philly ‘unlikely’ to allow indoor dining Aug. 1 
Inquirer: The painful inside view of the racism behind a prominent theater program’s implosion | Morning Newsletter
WHYY Newsworks: Philly in crisis: Black Clergy host town hall on surging gun violence 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly school board punts on reopening plan after backlash during marathon meeting 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus recovery: State and Philly health officials hope kids can return to school
WHYY Newsworks: Teachers seize the moment as parent demand fuels market for private tutors  
Billy Penn: Free Library director Siobhan Reardon has resigned 
Philadelphia Magazine: City Council Eyes a New Homelessness Solution: Tiny Homes 
Philadelphia Magazine: We Sat Through (Most of) the Art Commission’s Five-Hour Columbus Statue Zoom Call 
KYW Newsradio: Ex Philadelphia congressman Myers, who lost seat in Abscam scandal, is charged with election fraud
KYW Newsradio: Philly health officials say indoor dining unlikely to resume soon
KYW Newsradio: Free Library director resigns amid complaints about racial bias
KYW Newsradio: School districts struggle with wording of reopening guidance from Harrisburg
KYW Newsradio: Unemployed Philadelphians urge Congress to extend federal compensation
Philadelphia Citizen: Watch: Virtual Event With Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin
Philly Voice: Former Congressman Ozzie Myers charged in alleged bribery of South Philly judge of elections 
Philly Voice: As U.S. attorney questions Philly’s ban on public events, city senses Trump effort to squelch protests

SEPA
Daily Local News: Rep. Houlahan town hall stresses staying the course on pandemic fight 
Daily Local News: Race and police discussed during community conversation 
Daily Local News: Chester County resumes in-person, first responder training 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County OKs contract to research making public defender’s office ‘independent’ 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County officials plead with citizens to cooperate with coronavirus contact tracers
Bucks County Courier Times: No meal, no alcohol: State clarifies COVID-19 restrictions on alcohol sales
Bucks Local News: Gov. Wolf signs bill establishing mental welless, stress management program for first responders; other legislation

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson To Visit Pittsburgh On Friday 
KDKA: Around The Table: Who Will Be Joe Biden’s Running Mate? 
KDKA: President Judge Kim Clark Orders Several County Court Facilities Closed 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 147 New Coronavirus Cases And 2 More Deaths
Post-Gazette: White House privately warns Pittsburgh, 10 other cities must take ‘aggressive’ action against COVID-19 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh’s housing authority approves incentives for landlords 
Post-Gazette: Judge orders part of Allegheny County courthouse closed temporarily 
Post-Gazette: President of Pittsburgh teachers union supports online learning to start school year 
Post-Gazette: Ross board of commissioners appoints Democrat to take the seat of Republican 
Post-Gazette: Western Pa. accounts for 236 of state’s nearly 1,000 cases of COVID-19
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh officials not included on White House call warning city to step up virus fight 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Public Schools considering 9-week delay for classroom learning 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 147 new coronavirus cases, 15 new hospitalizations
WESA: July 20-24 Explained: School Reopening Limbo, PWSA’s ‘Unfortunate Chapter’ & A Question For Voters 
WESA: Modernization, Line Replacement Helped PWSA Significant Reduce Lead In PGH Water Supply
Pittsburgh Current: Breaking: Pittsburgh Schools May Start The Year 100 Percent Online
Pittsburgh Business Times: Dr. Rachel Levine: ‘Adding the Blue Jays was just one more factor in a city that was already challenged’ 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh Public Schools considers starting school year remotely 
City Paper: Pittsburgh-based Steelers reporter quits PennLive in protest of site calling a Nazi rally “peaceful”

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Lawmakers debate changes to deal with mail-in voting before presidential election 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Levine: ‘Do your part’ to help schools reopen; Cambria, Somerset combine for 14 new COVID-19 cases
KDKA: Testimony Heard After Leaders From 4 Counties File Lawsuit Claiming Gov. Tom Wolf’s Coronavirus Restrictions Are Unconstitutional
Observer-Reporter: Wolf administration officials grilled in court over closing orders 
Observer-Reporter: Companies accused of water pollution during Washington County gas pipeline construction 
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County adds 20 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths
Beaver County Times: No tiny meals: State officials crack down on bars serving popcorn, single chicken tender as ‘meal’ with alcohol 
Beaver County Times: Local grocers, banks wrestle with national coin shortage 
Altoona Mirror: AASD offers learning options
NEPA
The Times Leader: Lawmakers: Tax credits will bring good-paying jobs to NEPA; environmentalists fear ecological impact
The Times Leader: Longtime Magisterial District Judge Andrew Barilla dies at 83 
The Times Leader: 6 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 962 statewide
Citizens Voice: Yudichak and Kaufer praise ‘landmark’ legislation signed Thursday 
Citizens Voice: Former Magisterial District Judge Andrew Barilla dies at 83 
Citizens Voice: 6 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
Times-Tribune: Green Party presidential candidate to visit Scranton
Times-Tribune: ‘Work from Here’ marketing initiative aims to sell Scranton

South Central 
York Dispatch: Perry: ‘Generally speaking,’ kids won’t transmit COVID-19 to teachers 
York Dispatch: Rent relief is available, but hardly anyone in York County completed the application 
York Dispatch: York County has two new deaths linked to COVID-19, cases approach 2,100 
Patriot News: Emotions erupt during Harrisburg townhall; residents want action toward ‘equity, equality, and justice’
Patriot News: Coronavirus in Pa.: 962 new cases reported, more than 104,000 overall
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: Cumberland County reports 8 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘We need all hands on deck’: Teachers plead with Congress, parents for support as reopening looms 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Walking while Black is not a crime: Lancaster NAACP panel discusses being Black, police interaction 
LNP | LancasterOnline: COVID-19 keeps 32,100 county residents jobless, up 28% in a week 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Thursday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. up to 104K total cases; Lancaster County up to 5.1K

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Rep. Houlahan town hall stresses staying the course on pandemic fight
Reading Eagle: Berks County DA releases surveillance video of Wyomissing Walmart arrest and second protest held [VIDEO]
Reading Eagle: Peaceful Stand fourth rally in Reading urges listening to youth
Express Times: Allentown School District looks to go virtual into the autumn 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 962 new cases push state to 104K. Want schools to reopen in fall? Follow rules now, Levine says. | Pa. COVID-19 county case map (07/23/20)
Morning Call: Pennsylvania’s food stamp enrollment up nearly 10% since February, and officials are bracing for more pandemic-spurred applications 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Another 962 cases reported as health official warns increases could put school openings in jeopardy 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie County Councilman organizes pro-police rally
Erie Times-News: Erie mayor responds to local NAACP’s racism concerns
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council to get Bayfront Parkway update
Erie Times-News: Erie Events makes funding pitch to county officials
Erie Times-News: Erie County opens day reporting center
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Centre County adds 5 COVID-19 cases as Pa. reports 962 new positives
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City Council finance committee: Armored police vehicle cost a cause for concern
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport police overtime hours increase amid pandemic; City Council probes
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport Area School District presents health, safety plan with three options for fall reopening
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport schools aim for one device per student
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County three new COVID-19 cases

Opinion  
John Baer: Gov. Wolf played politics by holding Lebanon’s coronavirus money  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Mayor Kenney, pick up the damn trash
Inquirer Staff: Is Sheetz better than Wawa? Pa. politicians throw down over mac ’n’ cheeze bites and hoagies. | Pro/Con 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Worthwhile reform effort 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Twitter hack reveals privacy failure
York Dispatch Editorial Board: It’s time for incompetent Dan Snyder to sell the Washington NFL franchise
Larry Platt: How Jim Kenney Lost The City 
John L. Micek: Donald Trump has seen the enemy — and it is us | Thursday Morning Coffee
Corina Scott: If colleges want to be antiracist, they should start by ‘banning the box’
Wayne A. Cornelius: I’m from Pa. I live in Portland: Federal forces are doing more harm than good
Paul O’Hanlon: A wake-up call to Pittsburgh
Tony Norman: How would a civics teacher explain America today?
Ray E. Landis: Trump’s payroll tax holiday will undermine Social Security and Medicare. Here’s how 
Trudy Rubin: By sending feds to U.S. cities for political gain, Trump follows autocrats’ playbook

18 Responses

    1. Where is your integrity PoliticsPA to permit this fake posting under fake aliases?

    1. You are an asshole coward to steal posting name anonymously and post fake statements.

        1. double asshole, and pathetically Politics PA is permitting this and blocking me from using my original name.

          1. Ain’t nobody gonna steal mines because I am a true rat and I know too much about the Zappala cartel.

  1. The Republican legislators arguing that restricting bars to food and drink is not American is absurd. It is commonsense that a gathering of people for several hours drinking in this virus environment is conducive to viral spread. That is stating the obvious and is based on science and logic. It is hardly late breaking news.

    1. Science and logic? Then why won’t the gov. release the “scientific” data upon which he based his most recent restaurant and bar restrictions?

      Wolf and Levine are just making it up as they go along…

      1. who needs science and logic when you’ve got Dumpaluffagus in the White House.

      2. Yerkiidenright…Scientific data is needed to justify limiting attendance in bars in a pandemic?? Good God has common sense taken a holiday and we are so bitterly partisan that we suspend what is blatantly obvious??? I’ll give you a few quick observations which I doubt will satisfy your Republican mind—(1) One of the original outbreaks in New Rochelle NY had one person unintentionally infect many many people at religious gathering which was in the early stages of covid (2) Gov Cuomo mentioned a gathering on the 4th of July had resulted in 30 infections. We need to stop being so bitterly partisan that everything is about scoring political points. Just look at Florida and how Gov DeSantis took a more relaxed approach to Covid and where they are now….If I need to justify to you that during a once in a 100 year pandemic of a virus that is highly transferable— a gathering in a bar of people drinking closely together for many hours is not a good thing medically—then, my partisan friend, common sense has left the building.

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