⏱️ The Countdown Is On. Happy Monday.

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76ers (lost 4-3) | Boston 88-112
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Union (5-4-2) | Colorado 2-1 | Wed vs. D.C. United

What We’re Hearing
“And if we don’t get it right and the American farm families fail, every American family will fail” – Rep. Glenn “G.T.” Thompson

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Michael Schlossberg.

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Top Story

1. Clues About Voter Sentiment Could Emerge From PA Primary

“Off-year elections on Tuesday in Kentucky and Pennsylvania could send early signals about the mood of voters ahead of next year’s races for the White House and Congress.

A special legislative race in the Philadelphia suburbs could determine whether Democrats retain a one-vote majority in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives, and the outcome could demonstrate how voters are feeling in a crucial region of a swing presidential state.” (The Independent)

Related

What To Expect In PA As Special Election Decides Statehouse Control. “Voters in suburban Philadelphia are set to decide party control of Pennsylvania’s state House of Representatives on Tuesday with their pick to replace a Democrat who resigned.” (AP)

CNN Aired Trump’s Election Lies This Week. For Election Workers, It Has Consequences. “Lisa Deeley did not watch the CNN town hall this week where Donald Trump repeated several debunked conspiracy theories about America’s elections.” (The 19th)

When To Expect Results, How Vote Counting Will Work, And More. “In the four years since Pennsylvania dramatically expanded mail voting, politicians, county election administrators, and voters have frequently complained that it takes too long to produce unofficial results showing the winners.” (Spotlight PA)

State

2. A Frenzy Of Campaign Events Descended On Philly As Mayoral Candidates Make Final Push

“They chatted up families at diners, rallied on stage with political celebs, stumped at rainy arts festivals, and in a Lowe’s parking lot.

Mayoral candidates making their final push in a seemingly neck-and-neck … and-neck-and-neck race crisscrossed Philadelphia in recent days as their supporters eagerly await a Democratic mayoral primary that they say comes down to leadership, integrity, and safeguarding the city they love.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Poll: Philly Mayoral Race Still Too Close To Call. “An Emerson College/PHL 17 poll released on Friday showed Helen Gym, Cherelle Parker and Rebecca Rhynhart all within the statistical margin of error.” (PoliticsPA)

The Race For Allegheny County Executive ‘Is Really Sara’s To Lose.’ “Sara Innamorato has the momentum. Despite a last-minute onslaught of attack ads trying to stop her, the state lawmaker is likely going into Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Allegheny County executive with a significant edge, several party insiders and outside observers agreed just days before polls open.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

SEIU, Progressives On Verge Of Biggest Win Yet In Allegheny County. “An electoral wave has been sweeping across Allegheny County politics in recent years. It’s not red nor blue but purple for the Service Employees International Union.” (Pittsburgh Union Progress)

PA Republicans’ Fresh Embrace Of Mail-In Voting Is Starting To Pay Off. “The GOP saw a 4.9% increase in the number of registered Republican voters who applied for a mail-in or absentee ballot for Tuesday’s primary compared to the 2022 primary.” (PennLive)

Around The Commonwealth

3. School Board Races Serve As Culture War Battlegrounds

“Darlene Ciocca had served nearly a dozen years as a member of the Norwin School Board and, in February, faced a decision that on the surface seemed completely out of place — one that involved a political calculation to determine whether to seek another term in office.” (Tribune-Review)

Related

As Panic Over Books Fuels School Board Primary Races, Voters Have A Lot Of Options. “When it comes to local politics, Republican voter Philip Lizee has shifted his priorities in the past couple years. He is still concerned about keeping taxes low and spending wisely, but the 67-year-old retired watchmaker says now he’s more worried about what he’s reading online and hearing from his neighbors.” (LNP)

5 Things To Watch In Tuesday’s Allegheny County Primary Elections. “Tuesday will deliver more than just winners and losers.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

The Leadership Question. “This long campaign season ends tomorrow. Who is the leader we need for a better Philadelphia future?” (Philadelphia Citizen)

Days Before Special Election, Race For New Delco State Rep Heats Up. “By the time the special election determining which party controls the state House is held on May 16, Democrats will have spent upwards of $1 million to support Heather Boyd.” (DV Journal)

The PoliticsPA Election Guide. (PoliticsPA)

• In Bankrupt Chester, The Embattled Mayor Holds A Big Lead In The Primary – In Fundraising. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Allegheny, Westmoreland, Alle-Kiski Valley Races To Watch. (Tribune-Review)
• Primary Preview: Wilkes-Barre Mayor. (Times Leader)
• How Tuesday’s Primary Will Affect Day-To-Day Life In The Valley. (LehighValleyNews.com)
• May 16 Primary Filled With Important Contests. (Armchair Lehigh Valley)

Student Journalist: Covering The Mayoral Race Made Me ‘Hopeful’ For Philly’s Future. “I’ve attended multiple forums, listening to the candidates talk about various topics that affect youth in this city: gun violence, youth employment, safety going to and from school, and the conditions of my neighborhood, Kensington.” (Billy Penn)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

A glance around the Keystone State at editorials and opinions.

Editorial

• Make The Effort And Go Vote On Tuesday. (Observer-Reporter)
• Three Worthy PA Bills To Consider. (Tribune-Democrat)
• Can You Hear Me Now? Reduce The Tax. (Times-Tribune)

Opinion

• Disappointed In Voter Turnout? Make Sure To Do Your Part In Tuesday’s PA Primary. (Kevin Cuneo)
• Why Is This Primary Different From All The Others? (Rabbi Beth Kalisch)
• Electing Judges Is The Better Option. (William Lloyd)
• Why Billionaires And Right-Wing Extremists Want To Wreck Your Kid’s Public School. (Will Bunch)
• Invigorate The American Economy. Don’t Raise The Debt Ceiling. (Peter St Onge, Richard Stern)
• The Farm Bill Is For Everyone. (Salena Zito)
• Retraction Request Smacks Of Pressure Campaign. (Dwight Weidman)

1 Thing

5. Errant Shot

“A Pennsylvania man who attempted to shoot a deer, but instead shot his elderly neighbor, is headed to jail.

According to reports, Michael Lloyd, 41, was sentenced Friday to serve at least three months and as long as 23 ½ months in the Centre County Correctional Facility. Per the Centre Daily Times, Lloyd must report to the prison by June 12.

Lloyd was returning from a deer hunting trip in December 2021 when, according to police, he stopped at his neighbor’s driveway and shot twice, using a .45-caliber handgun, at a deer. But, instead hitting the deer, which reportedly had brush behind where it was standing, Lloyd hit the elderly man.” (PennLive)

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