Poll shows statistical deadlock in GOP Senate race. Mail ballots still popular in PA. Trump, Oz rally in Greensburg. PoliticsPA podcast talks polls. Here is the Playbook.

PA Weather
Pittsburgh | Sunny, 70
Harrisburg | Sunny, 69
Philadelphia | Sunny, 67

PA Sports
76ers (tied 2-2) | d vs. Miami, 116-108; TUE at Miami
Penguins (lead 2-1) | tonight vs. NY Rangers

Phillies (12-16) | MON-TUE at Seattle
Pirates (11-16) | MON-TUE vs. LA Dodgers

Union (5-1-4) | draw at LAFC, 2-2; TUE vs. Orlando City

News

Mail Ballots Still Popular in Pennsylvania: Despite the growing unrest over vote-by-mail balloting in Harrisburg, the option still appears to be popular among Pennsylvania voters.

Three Questions in Three Minutes: Brian Sims: In a partnership with Metro Philadelphia, PoliticsPA presents “Three Questions in Three Minutes,” a series of quick-hitting interviews with politicians making headlines in Pennsylvania.

Pompeo Questions Oz on Ties To Turkey: Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on Mehmet Oz and his campaign to explain the involvement that the celebrity doctor has had with Turkey.

Podcast: Going Deep on the Polls with Only 10 Days to Go: With only 10 days to go until Election Day, what are the polls saying?

Sunday News Show Preview – May 8: If it’s Sunday … and before going out with Mom … you might be in front of your television catching up on state political issues on the morning shows.

PA Senate Race: Trafalgar: Tight 3-Way Race for GOP Senate Nod: A new Trafalgar Group poll released Sunday night shows that Mehmet Oz, Kathy Barnette and Dave McCormick are within the margin of error against each other.

• WESA: Trump promotes Oz and attacks McCormick as thousands turn out for rally in Greensburg 
• Post-Gazette: Trump takes the stage in Greensburg, with a mixed review of Oz
• Post-Gazette: Trump supporters, despite former president’s endorsement, still unsure about Dr. Oz in Pa.’s U.S. Senate GOP race
• PennLive: Fetterman, Oz and McCormick continue to dominate the ‘money primaries’ in Pa’s U.S. Senate race
• Inquirer: Trump boosts Pa. Senate candidate Mehmet Oz — and declares rival David McCormick ‘not MAGA’
• KYW Newsradio: Pa. Democratic Senate candidates: Where they stand on abortion and their electability
• Citizens Voice: U.S. Senate hopeful McCormick and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz coming to Luzerne County on Friday
• PennLive: Senate rival McCormick uses former Secretary of State and old pal Mike Pompeo, to question Oz’s loyalty before Trump rally
• PennLive: Former President Trump pumps up Dr. Oz, and himself, at western Pa. rally
• City & State PA: Trump visits Pennsylvania to back Oz in U.S. Senate primary 
• AP: Oz’s ties to Turkey attacked in Pennsylvania’s Senate race
• Fox News: Trump says he has ‘transformed the face of the Republican Party’ as he stumps for Oz in PA Senate primary
• Fox News: Hours before Trump’s PA rally with Oz, Pompeo questions about Senate candidate’s Turkish election vote
• Fox News: Pennsylvania Republican Senate race tight in final weeks
• Fox News: 2022/2024 Watch: Cruz heading to Pennsylvania to campaign with McCormick days after Trump rally for Oz
• Fox News: Biden created a ‘terrible economy’: Pennsylvania Senate candidate 
• The Hill: Trump rallies for Oz in Pennsylvania, calls his challenger ‘more Toomey than he is MAGA’
• The Hill: Pompeo holds briefing to raise concerns over Trump-backed Senate candidate in Pennsylvania
• The Hill: Oz: ‘The only thing Joe Biden has built back better is the Republican Party’
• The Hill: 5 Senate races to watch amid Roe fallout
• The Hill: Fetterman climbs past 50 percent in Pennsylvania primary: poll
• CNN: In Pennsylvania, McCormick campaign keeps up attacks over Oz’s Turkish ties
• PennLive: Carla Sands works the home turf in closing stretch of Pa.’s GOP Senate primary
• Tribune Review: Trump looks to advance his GOP takeover, sway support for Oz at Westmoreland stop
• City Paper: After Hours: Natalie Bencivenga interviews Conor Lamb
• KDKA: Donald Trump holds rally in Westmoreland County for Dr. Oz
• The Rich Zeoli Show: Jeff Bartos: From Day 1 We’ve Been Focused on Saving Main Street in Pennsylvania
• Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: PHOTO GALLERY | Supporters brave mud, rain to hear Trump campaign for Oz in Greensburg

PA Governor Race: ‘Leaked abortion opinion raises stakes in contest to succeed Gov. Tom Wolf’: The Caucus reports that “surging anger among abortion rights supporters, inflamed by the U.S. Supreme Court’s draft decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade, will likely boost Democratic voter turnout in November. But the issue still must trump voters’ deep concerns about the economy, gas prices and jobs, according to polls and interviews with political analysts.”

• AP: Protective order against lieutenant gov candidate tossed
• Times-Tribune: Judge dismisses PFA against lieutenant governor candidate Teddy Daniels
• WHYY: Shapiro, only Dem running for Pa. governor, vows to veto abortion restrictions
• Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial race has high stakes when it comes to how we vote
• The Times Leader: Shapiro stresses abortion rights at Wilkes-Barre event
• Times-Tribune: Shapiro promises veto of any abortion ban bill
• Citizens Voice: Barletta says primary for governor depends on undecided voters
• Delco Daily Times: Ridley’s Dave White fighting for Republican gubernatorial nomination among crowded field
• KYW Newsradio: Introducing the Republican candidates for Pa. governor
• WTAE: Commitment 2022: Joe Gale, candidate for governor
• Bloomberg: How Pennsylvania’s Abortion Fight Could Play Out Across the Country
• AP: Abortion rights may rest on governor’s races in some states
• Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Attorney General Josh Shapiro and State Rep. Austin Davis stop by Williamsport

‘State voting official pushes back on ballot drop box warning’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania’s top state elections official is pushing back against a county district attorney’s plans to have detectives monitor ballot drop box locations ahead of the upcoming primary and prosecute violations, warning that the plan could intimidate voters.” 

‘Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry’s baseless conspiracy theories have real-life consequences, election experts say’: WITF reports that “midstate GOP Congressman Scott Perry is facing criticism after it was revealed that he texted with a Trump White House official about ways to overturn the 2020 election.”

‘Pennsylvania gasoline price hits new record of $4.46 a gallon Friday; Gov. Wolf says it shows need for relief checks up to $2,000’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “average gasoline prices in Pennsylvania jumped to a new record high of $4.46 a gallon on Friday, and Gov. Tom Wolf said it showed the need to send checks of up to $2,000 to households with annual incomes below $80,000.”

‘Kevin Dellicker has trouble being concise, but he has a simple message for why Republicans should choose him to challenge Susan Wild’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Dellicker is running to be the 7th District’s next congressman, representing Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon and part of Monroe counties. He sees himself as a “grassroots” challenger to Lisa Scheller, CEO of Silberline Manufacturing and the Republican pick in 2020 who lost to incumbent Susan Wild.”

‘With the GOP brass behind her, here’s how Lisa Scheller plans to get to the finish line and challenge Susan Wild for Congress a 2nd time’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “If Scheller wins, she wants to bring a business perspective to Congress and will advocate for lowering taxes and workforce development.”

‘The next AOC? Frontrunner for PA seat is Dem socialist backed by Bernie, Warren’: Fox News reports that “the frontrunner for a Pennsylvania House seat is a Democratic socialist backed by Senators Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., whose political path mirrors that of far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.”

‘Gainey, other Dems call out attack ads against Summer Lee in 12th District race’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “a coalition of Summer Lee supporters, upset about a campaign being supported by an outside group, are pressuring an opponent running in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District to condemn what they call attack ads from the United Democracy Project.”

‘New “Insurrection Index” identifies 16 Pa. politicians who supported Jan. 6 insurrection’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “voting rights organization Public Wise wants Pennsylvanians to keep an eye on 16 “insurrectionist” candidates for elected office.”

‘After Hours – Bonus Edition: Natalie Bencivenga interviews Jerry Dickinson’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “Jerry Dickinson, University of Pittsburgh constitutional law professor and candidate for U.S. House District 12, joins Natalie Bencivenga for a bonus After Hours episode, discussing the legal ramifications should Roe V. Wade be overturned.”

‘Commitment 2022: One-on-one with Summer Lee, candidate for 12th Congressional District’: WTAE reports that “Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 anchor Shannon Perrine spoke on-on-one with Pennsylvania State Representative Summer Lee about why she wants the job.”

‘Lawmakers seek to legalize fentanyl test strips as overdoses surge’: Citizens Voice reports that “the Pennsylvania Legislature is considering companion House and Senate bills that proponents say could help reduce the skyrocketing number of opioid overdoses taking place across the state.”

‘U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon faces challenge from Folcroft man in primary election’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “this primary election, U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5 of Swarthmore, faces opposition from Lou Lanni Jr. of Folcroft.”

‘Entin, Fitzpatrick vie in Republican primary for 1st Congressional Dist.’: Montgomery Media reports that “Republicans in Pennsylvania’s U.S. 1st Congressional District will be going to the polls or mailing in their ballots in this year’s primary elections to decide if Alex Entin or Brian Fitzpatrick will be the party’s candidate in this year’s November election.”

‘Audit the Vote gave us its canvassing data to check the results. It was riddled with errors’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “an analysis of Audit the Vote’s canvassing operation conducted by LNP | LancasterOnline over the last two months found the group’s work was rife with errors and speculation and that its methodology was deeply flawed, mistakes that undermine its conclusion and make its findings unreliable.”

‘Sen. Casey, USDA promise $22.5 million to help farmers reduce runoff to Chesapeake Bay’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “federal officials were in Lancaster city on Friday to announce $22.5 million in new funding for projects to reduce water pollution from farmland throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which includes Lancaster County.”

‘Lycoming County Board of Elections releases audit information’: The Williamsport Sun-
Gazette reports that “the Lycoming County Board of Elections has released information in response to inquiries about post-election audits.”

Legislative Election Updates

• WHYY: Sen. Anthony Williams, 23-year incumbent, has his first real challenger. He says it’s ‘insulting’
• Times-Tribune: Donahue, Flynn seek Scranton-based state House seat with education funding a priority 
• Delco Daily Times: Kirkland flier wrongly lists unearned endorsements
• Delco Daily Times: Vitali faces rare fight in this year’s primary election
• Bucks Local News: Stage set for Republican Primary in 31st District Pa. House race in Bucks County
• Citizens Voice: Few choices for 120th and 121st state House Districts and 20th and 22nd state Senate Districts
• Citizens Voice: ‘Young blood’ faces ‘trusted voice’ in 119th state House primary
• Carlisle Sentinel: Primary Preview 2022: Candidates vie for newly created 103rd Legislative District
• Carlisle Sentinel: Primary Preview 2022: Most incumbents in Cumberland County races to face challengers in November
• Reading Eagle: Forum set for Democratic candidates for the 129th House District
• Daily Local News: Two Republicans face off in primary to challenge Howard in 167th House Dist.

Regional Spotlight: Southeast and Lehigh Valley
Billy Penn: Procrastinator’s Guide to the May 2022 primary election in Philadelphia 
Morning Call: ACLU, disabilities advocates and other groups send joint letter to Lehigh County DA Jim Martin demanding he end plan to monitor ballot drop boxes 
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley voters guide: May 2022 primary election 
Morning Call: Lehigh County ballot drop box monitoring could keep disabled residents from voting, advocates say
Daily Local News: It’s official: GOP censures Vogel over posts, reaction
Bucks County Courier Times: Chair of Bucks County Democrats won’t seek another term. ‘It’s time’
KYW Newsradio: ‘Get the names right’: Legislation would require accent marks on state documents, IDs
KYW Newsradio: City Council grills SEPTA on crime, homelessness, troubled Kensington station
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia needs more workers to return to fully recover, says Center City District
Philly Voice: Philadelphia could impose heavier fines for illegal dumping as lawmakers push for more spending
Billy Penn: Philly rents grew 6% during the pandemic, but they increased twice as fast in the suburbs 
Billy Penn: How the construction of the Vine Street Expressway uncovered lost Black burial grounds
WHYY: After scathing report on Philly’s child welfare system, DHS head describes efforts to improve 
WHYY: Chester parking contract linked to timely campaign donations to Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland
WHYY: Overtime for Philly workers continues to rise
WHYY: ‘This is Delaware County. We fight like hell’: Health care workers, elected officials rally against Crozer Health cuts
WHYY: WHYY wins 11 Keystone Media Awards for pandemic, suburbs coverage
Philadelphia Tribune: Brother of 2 MOVE bombing victims calls for city to release remains
Levittown Now: PRIMARY ELECTION 2022: Voter’s Guide
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Commissioner Harvie announces opioid settlement advisory committee
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Commissioners call on state to increase mental health funding
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County receives hundreds of proposals to spend COVID funds
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County commissioners authorize $1.2M in contracts
Levittown Now: What Will Bristol Do With $50 Million?
Bucks County Courier Times: Rally in Doylestown calls for protection of abortion, pro-choice rights
Daily Local News: Houlahan leads bipartisan bill to help small businesses offer on-the-job training
Daily Local News: Houlahan tours LCH in Kennett, praises local health care workers
Daily Local News: Chester County Chamber gets new president and CEO 
Delco Daily Times: Delco council points to positives in 2022 State of the County address
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County Council considers increasing hotel tax to 5 percent 
Morning Call: Draft opinion on Roe v. Wade draws outcry from Lehigh Valley abortion rights supporters, measured hope from opponents
Morning Call: Meet the person who will oversee the primary election in Northampton County. She oversaw the controversial 2019 voting.
Morning Call: Public invited to weigh in at PennDOT hearings on potential toll bridges on I-78 and I-80
Morning Call: From ‘boiler room to boardroom,’ former Northampton County executive John Stoffa served decades, helped lives in the Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Lehigh County wants to make sure everyone can access government resources. Here’s how. 
Morning Call: Allentown NIZ bounces back with record tax revenue 
Morning Call: ‘This is so much more important than an A’: Lafayette students rally community after Roe. v. Wade draft opinion
Morning Call: Could alley houses help solve Bethlehem’s affordable housing problem?
Reading Eagle: Berks commissioners set the record straight on ballot drop boxes
Reading Eagle: What you need to know about voting by mail in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Reading nearing finish line on 13 years of state financial oversight
Inquirer: Philly delayed property assessments for three years. Now residential values are jumping 31%.
Inquirer: A South Philly GOP ward leader has been ousted over ‘ballot harvesting’ concerns
Inquirer: Can states go bankrupt? Here’s how Puerto Rico did, with a Penn Law prof’s guidance.
WFMZ: Candidates for Pa. Governor, Senate make pitches to voters at debates, make stops in Lehigh Valley and Berks 
WFMZ: ACLU, other organizations asking Lehigh County DA to end plan to have detectives monitor drop boxes
WFMZ: Leaked Supreme Court draft fuels local abortion debate 
WFMZ: Make the Road PA holds rally in Reading
WFMZ: Commissioners condemn false information about voter drop boxes in Berks County   
WFMZ: Montgomery Board of Commissioners updated on American Recovery Plan Act
WFMZ: ‘Major win for Democrats’: Political analyst says following leaked Roe v. Wade draft opinion
WFMZ: At hearing in Allentown, leaders seek ways to address issue of people on dirt bikes and ATVs riding around on city streets
WFMZ: State leaders discuss need for treatment centers to curb opioid epidemic
WFMZ: Former Northampton County executive John Stoffa dies
WFMZ: Berks County demos electronic poll books ahead of May 17th primary
Express Times: Former Northampton County executive John Stoffa remembered for decades of public service
Express Times: ‘Nobody wants to come to work’: Easton nurses join statewide protests for better pay
Chalkbeat Philadelphia: Want to know the condition of a Philly school building? New map to help.

Opinion   
Mark S. Singel: The attack on women – and ultimately democracy
Salena Zito: In Pennsylvania, a Doug Mastriano win would cost the GOP the House and Senate in that state 
Salena Zito: The anatomy of a wave election
Al Hunt: Can Fetterman win enough suburban votes to carry Pennsylvania in November?
Will Bunch: In wagering on Doug Mastriano, Josh Shapiro plays a dangerous game for Pa. 
Jim Lee: Media’s Deference to ‘Preferred’ Pollsters Sends Wrong Message
Ray E. Landis: These are the trends to watch for among older voters in the Pa. primary
Garry Pezzano: Nursing homes need more help from Pa. budget to address increased costs, years of underfunding
Paul Muschick: Everyone should get off DA Jim Martin’s back about ballot box detectives
Mark Pinsley: How to avoid contamination from ‘forever chemicals’ like those found in Emmaus drinking water
Manal El Harrak and Dr. Kelly Leite: Pennsylvania children risk losing health coverage unless the state acts to protect them 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: State retirement plan would save taxpayers by helping workers save
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Celebrating success can bring healing to a hurting community
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: World Press Freedom Day more relevant than ever
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Pennsylvania’s closed primaries diminish democracy and encourage extremism 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: After recusals and delays, Manheim Township must take action on proposed Oregon Village development
PennLive Editorial Board: Want to make a longterm difference? Offer to donate an organ 
Ruth Ann Dailey: Roe reviled, revered, revisited
Larry Platt: Is Elon Musk A Free Speech Savior? 
Lynn Shelly: Tips to reduce our use of plastic grocery bags
Chris Kelly: ‘Lady justice’ mobilized by Roe v. Wade threat
John Cole: Not the election reform we had in mind | Editorial Cartoon 
Sarah DeSantis: Legislators must fund suicide crisis services