Search
Close this search box.

July 9th Playbook

Vice President Mike Pence and former Vice President Joe Biden are both set to campaign in PA today. Here is the Playbook. 

PPP Loans Ignite Oppo Free-For-All: Reps. Matt Cartwright and Mike Kelly are each fending off attacks because their family businesses received money through the Paycheck Protection Program.

Cook Moves PA From Toss Up to Leans Dem For Presidential Race: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Nebraska’s 2nd district moving from Toss Up to Lean Democrat put former VP Joe Biden above 270 electoral votes in the latest Electoral College ratings.

Pence To Travel Through PA on July 9: Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Pennsylvania on Thursday includes a fundraiser in Manheim, a roundtable discussion in Chester County, and a speech at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5 in Philadelphia.

Biden To Promote Economic Recovery Plan in Lackawanna County: Former Vice President Joe Biden and Vice President Mike Pence will both be campaigning in Pennsylvania on Thursday.

PA1: Brady PAC Endorses Fitzpatrick: Brady PAC, the sister organization of the Brady Campaign, the nation’s oldest gun violence prevention advocacy group, endorsed Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) in his reelection bid for the 1st Congressional District. 
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 1,109 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 2,825 votes, 15%, with all of the in-person votes accounted for, while the mail-in votes are still coming in, declared victory in the primary. The GOP candidate in this safe Dem district is Drew Murray. 

INCUMBENT TRAILS: HD188 Dem: Rick Krajewski holds a 2,624 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 267 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). The margin between first and last place is also slim. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Lawmakers take up fight against governor’s climate strategy
AP: Pennsylvania holds off on new pandemic restrictions
AP: Pennsylvania tries luck again in mini-casino license auction
AP: Pennsylvania inmates file challenge to parole restrictions
Inquirer: Joe Biden and Mike Pence are visiting 4 key areas in Pennsylvania. Here’s why they’re so important.
Inquirer: U.S. Supreme Court hands victory to Trump in latest round of Pennsylvania’s birth-control wars 
Inquirer: Lawsuit challenges Pennsylvania’s mandatory life prison terms for some murder convictions 
Inquirer: No, Pa. Congressman Matt Cartwright did not call for defunding the police 
Inquirer: From Philly to CNN, what 30 years of talk radio taught Michael Smerconish
Spotlight PA: Evictions loom large as Pa. renter relief program stumbles, lacks Spanish-language application
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In bipartisan vote, House blocks Wolf from entering regional climate initiative; Senate vote awaits
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In ruling with Pa. implications, U.S. Supreme Court hands victories to religious employers in health care, employment
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Education official: Part-time schedules, small groups best way to reduce COVID-19 transmission when schools reopen
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As COVID-19 cases spike, Allegheny County slaps two-week ban on indoor dining at bars, restaurants
PLSReporter: House passes bill requiring legislative approval for cap-and-trade program as Wolf Administration touts potential benefits
PLSReporter: Legislators, Wolf Administration in talks on petrochemical tax credit compromise, bill author says 
Fox News: Little Sisters’ legal ordeal may not be over, Supreme Court justices indicate
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State House passes rebuke of Wolf plan to join regional effort to reduce air pollution 
StateImpactPA: Pa. House moves to block RGGI entrance as DEP estimates it will save money and lives
Post-Gazette: Lawsuit challenges constitutionality of life without parole sentences for second-degree murder 
KYW Newsradio: Supreme Court rules in favor of religious exemptions for birth control coverage
National Journal: Brady PAC Endorses Fitzpatrick 
KDKA: Pa. Attorney General Vows To ‘Continue This Battle On Behalf Of Women Everywhere’ Following Supreme Court’s Contraception Ruling
The Hill: Teacher’s union puts $1 million behind ad demanding funding for schools preparing to reopen
The Hill: Liberal super PAC attacks Trump’s coronavirus response with ads in key battlegrounds
Patriot News: New Allegheny County order extends indoor dining, drinking ban; outdoor dining continues, but with 3-drink limit 
Politico: Key battleground states most vulnerable to cutoff in jobless aid
CNN: Supreme Court says Trump can weaken Obamacare contraceptive mandate
Huffington Post: Supreme Court Says Employers May Deny Birth Control Coverage Over Religious Objections

Philadelphia 
WHYY Newsworks: Mayor Kenney waives code violation notices for recent Philly protests 
WHYY Newsworks: Police Reimagined: DA Larry Krasner extended interview
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus recovery: Delaware among 18 states in Philly’s travel advisory 
Inquirer: Philly has waived all citations against protesters after they said arrests violated their rights 
Inquirer: Residents push for resources, city action in Kensington: ‘We need help’ 
Inquirer: Penn professors call for university to pay taxes to support Philly schools 
Inquirer: From Philly to CNN, what 30 years of talk radio taught Michael Smerconish
Philadelphia Citizen: Virtual Town Hall: “The Progressive Grocer” 
KYW Newsradio: City waives all minor protest-related violations
KYW Newsradio: Philly parents voice concerns over school district’s back-to-school coronavirus cleaning plan
Philly Voice: Nearly half of Philly parents would send their kids to school now, survey shows
Philly Voice: Philly tosses out citations given to protesters for failure to disperse, curfews and other code violations
SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Brady gun-control PAC endorses Fitzpatrick 
Bucks County Courier Times: Pa. to host unemployment town hall Thursday
Bucks Local News: Community to take a stand against racisim during weekend rally in Morrisville 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County records 4 coronavirus deaths in past 7 days

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Won’t Yet Announce Potential New Order Impacting Restaurants, Bars As Coronavirus Cases Rise In Southwestern Pa. 
KDKA: ‘Markie’s Law,’ Intended To Keep Violent Inmates In Prison Longer, May Soon Reach Gov. Tom Wolf’s Desk 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Issues New 2-Week Order Allowing Dining And Limited Drinking Outside 
KDKA: President Trump And Coronavirus Task Force Say Kids Need To Go Back To School
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Coronavirus Cases Top 4,000 As Health Dept. Reports 230 New Cases 
Post-Gazette: Burgess hears testimony, takes questions on police review board ballot referendum 
Post-Gazette: Ordinance to ban ‘less lethal’ weapons fails in County Council committee 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County will allow outdoor dining, bars and casinos to reopen Friday — with restrictions 
Post-Gazette: Could a new federal rule drive international students away? 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County’s COVID cases soar past 4,000; Butler County sets new single-day mark
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As COVID-19 cases spike, Allegheny County slaps two-week ban on indoor dining at bars, restaurants
WESA: New Research Details Racial, Socioeconomic Inequities During School Shutdown Across Allegheny County
WESA: A+ Schools: PPS Students Should Expect Masks, Online-Learning Options
City Paper: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto offered a feet pic in exchange for voting in November at 12:16 a.m. 
City Paper: New ICE rule threatens international students’ stability, and Pittsburgh’s diversity, if local colleges go online-only
City Paper: Delta Foundation interim president apologizes for LGBTQ organization’s past failures as protesters demand change 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County will allow outdoor dining beginning Friday, Rivers Casino allowed to reopen 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Council hears public testimony on bill to expand police review board power 
Tribune Review: University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon join push against Trump’s edict on student visas 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 230 new covid-19 cases, 2 new deaths
Pittsburgh Business Times: CMU, Pitt call on federal government to reverse international student decision 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny County allows outside dining but bans indoor dining for two more weeks

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: WATCH VIDEO | Toomey: Economy will recover, virus treatment improves with increased testing 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Labor attorney: Somerset County dispatchers, maintenance workers and clerks agree to terms on a contract
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Nine new cases in Cambria and Somerset counties, as state’s COVID-19 count passes 92,148
Beaver County Times: Bill would ban ‘gag clauses’ on pharmacists sharing info on cheaper drugs 
Beaver County Times: COVID cases continue to climb as Beaver County waits for state 
Tribune Review: Irwin Council: No masks, no social distancing 
Tribune Review: 33 new covid-19 cases reported in Westmoreland County 
Tribune Review: Trafford councilman says he will not resign over comment regarding health secretary’s gender
Altoona Mirror: Chalk messages outside Blair County Courthouse call for justice reform
Observer-Reporter: Allegheny County extends on-site alcohol sales as COVID-19 cases surge

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Biden to campaign in Dunmore on Thursday 
Times-Tribune: County solicitor: Halting of inmate labor at recycling center won’t impact pending lawsuit
Times-Tribune: List of NEPA businesses that received Paycheck Protection Program loans
Times-Tribune: Scranton business relief grants benefit 86 city businesses 
Inquirer: No, Pa. Congressman Matt Cartwright did not call for defunding the police 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Central Court shut down amid COVID-19 concern 
The Times Leader: 3 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; no new deaths
Citizens Voice: Biden to campaign in Dunmore on Thursday
Citizens Voice: County Central Court closed by COVID-19 report Wednesday 
Citizens Voice: 3 more COVID-19 cases, no new deaths reported Wednesday in Luzerne County

South Central 
Carlisle Sentinel: Nursing home death data doesn’t match up to political debate 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 10 new COVID-19 cases in Cumberland County Wednesday in another big reporting day in Pa.
York Dispatch: Closer Look: Big York County firms ate up bulk of PPP funds
York Dispatch: York County has 2 new deaths linked to COVID-19, statewide deaths break 6,800
Patriot News: Coronavirus in Pa.: 849 new cases reported, second biggest one-day number since late May
LNP | LancasterOnline: Watch: Should Confederate, Columbus monuments be taken down? Local professors, city council president discuss 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Wednesday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. up to 92K total cases; Lancaster is at 4.6K
York Daily Record: See which York businesses received PPP loans 
York Daily Record: Coronavirus updates: Pa. death toll surpasses 6,800; officials urge mask-wearing in public

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Susan Wild says she raised $875k last quarter for her congressional re-election bid
Morning Call: 5 takeaways on the $20 billion in PPP loans to Pennsylvania businesses amid coronavirus crisis
Morning Call: Bethlehem residents pressure council for bold police reforms, including defunding the department 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 849 new cases reported by state on Wednesday as Allegheny County surge continues
Express Times: Bethlehem residents urge council to push for ‘real’ reforms, like defunding the police
Express Times: Easton passes new rules guiding development after contentious debate
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: COVID-19 cases climb past 92K as age skews younger; Pittsburgh-area outbreak grows | Coronavirus Pa. map (07/08/20) 
Reading Eagle: Facebook posts deemed racist by Berks County officials lead to suspension for constable 
Reading Eagle: Battle against coronavirus not over, Berks commissioners warn
Reading Eagle: Judge denies petition seeking to release families from Berks County Residential Center
Reading Eagle: Virtual town hall on single-hauler system for Reading airs concerns from all angles 
Reading Eagle: 17 new coronavirus positives for Berks County in state reporting 
Reading Eagle: 6 protesters cited for blocking entrance to Berks County Services Center

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: It’s official: Board approves Erie County’s community college
Erie Times-News: Historic preservation focus of Erie City Council study session
Erie Times-News: City reviewing Erie police video as scrutiny mounts 
Erie Times-News: Erie County’s COVID-19 sewage numbers drop again
KDKA: Rep. Mike Kelly Donating Blood Plasma To Research After Coronavirus Recovery
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport government looks ahead to major projects
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City, firefighters’ union set to go to arbitration
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council to consider hiring deputy fire chief
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: More federal coronavirus funding approved for city disbursement
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: No county COVID-19 deaths in last week
Centre Daily Times: What Centre County businesses received COVID-19 aid, and how much did they get? Here’s a closer look
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Centre County adds 2 new cases of COVID-19, and other updates for July 8

Opinion  
Larry Krasner and Miriam Krinsky: As pandemic continues, safe injection sites could save more lives 
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Ignore Mike Jones
Isaiah Thomas: The 2020 budget process was complicated. So was my ‘yes’ vote.
Al Hunt: Bellwether counties show trouble for Trump
Inquirer Staff: Should sports come back during the pandemic? | Pro/Con
Paul Muschick: How a new Pennsylvania law is a step toward reducing institutional racism
John L. Micek: This back to school event in Philly is touching. It’s also what’s wrong with how we pay for schools | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Salena Zito: The way to Prosperity has many paths
Quinn O’Callaghan: Removing school police puts unfair burden on teachers 
Aryanna Hunter: When I see Vanessa Guillen, I see a reflection of myself and every woman who serves 
Mark O’Keefe: He was Black. The cop was white and in danger. All that mattered was saving him 
John L. Micek: Trump’s now using your kids as pawns in his re-election. That’s not leadership. It’s desperation 
The Angry Grammarian: How ‘cancel culture’ caught on so quickly

3 Responses

  1. Pence is spending a lot of time in PA – Trump campaign is worried about the state. But it’s not gonna matter much when you are down ten nationally.

  2. I’m still running in PA-08 and PA-10 ands in PA-19, so make sure to be written in my name when you votes.

  3. Just call these races for whoever is leading in these state legislature races now because for one person in each race has to move on in the general in November.

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