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Top Story

1. Down To The Wire

And then there were two.

Two state House races are left uncalled by the AP and their outcomes will determine which party is in the majority in Pennsylvania.

Democrats currently hold the slightest of leads, 101-100, with the contests in the 142nd and 151st in limbo. (AP)

Related

The Race For Control Of The PA State House Comes Down To These Two Districts. “Just two districts and potentially a few hundred votes will decide which party controls the Pennsylvania state House, an electoral prize that will have major implications for how policy is enacted in Harrisburg.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Cutler and Lancaster County Power Could Shift In PA House. “The outcome of a few still-undeclared races could determine whether Bryan Cutler, the Drumore Township politician who serves as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, will continue serving as one of the most powerful legislators in Harrisburg.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)

HD144: Has Munroe Secured The Win? “When is a concession, a concession?” (PoliticsPA)

HD144: Democrat Munroe Claims Victory But Polinchock Won’t Concede. “Democrat Brian Munroe has declared victory in the race for the 144th state House District seat in Bucks County, even though county election officials are still counting ballots.” (WHYY)

HD151: Stephens Ahead By 26 Votes. “In a race separated by just 26 votes, Republican state Rep. Todd Stephens had a narrow lead in final, but unofficial votes reported early Wednesday.” (Norristown Times Herald)

HD118: May Walks Back Concession, Claims Luzerne County Has To ‘Count Thousands Of Ballots.’ “Republican James May on Thursday walked back his concession in the 118th state House District election, claiming in a Facebook message that Luzerne County still has to “count thousands of ballots” in the district.” (Times-Tribune)

Review

2. Fetterman, Shapiro Defy Expectations For Democrats

The Democratic duo of John Fetterman and Josh Shapiro were able to navigate historical headwinds and produce pivotal victories in Pennsylvania for Senate and governor, respectively.

Here’s how it happened. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Related

How Fetterman Flipped PA. “When John Fetterman’s team told him he was going to be Pennsylvania’s next senator late into Election Night, the Democrat laughed. He smirked. Then, struck by the emotional end of a campaign that included a near-fatal stroke just five months ago, Fetterman wept.” (CNN)

Gov.-Elect Shapiro Well-Positioned To Move His Agenda. “Pennsylvania’s improved financial condition and a favorable political environment for Democrats, should help Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro move his agenda through the legislature, elected officials said.” (Philadelphia Tribune)

Will Fetterman’s Victory Change The Way The Media Covers Disabilities? “In general, Pennsylvania outlets, from ABC’s Philadelphia station to newspaper front pages, spent far more time on the issues.” (Yahoo!News)

Governor

3. Does Mastriano Have To Concede?

It is not a requirement in elections for the vanquished to concede to the victor.

But that’s what many around the Commonwealth are waiting for from Republican candidate for governor Doug Mastriano. Included in that number are many from his own party. (Spotlight PA)

Related

‘Campaign Malpractice’: How Doug Mastriano Flamed Out After A Trump-Fueled Surge. “With the Election Day entertainment and optimism exhausted, Pennsylvania state Sen. Doug Mastriano at last took the stage at 11:15 p.m. to offer a non-concession and thank his remaining guests: The night, and his gubernatorial hopes, were over.” (Erie Times-News)

Fact Check: Why A ‘Mostly Red’ PA Election Map Showing Wins By Counties Needs Context. “Maps with election results in Pennsylvania that look predominantly red (representing Republicans) although Democrats (represented with blue) won the state are not proof of election fraud, contrary to online claims.” (Reuters)

Around The Commonwealth

Dead Lawmaker Elected In Western PA Spurs Fraud Conspiracies. “State Rep. Tony DeLuca, 85, died of cancer on Oct. 9, but remained on the ballot because it was past the deadline to remove candidates.” (PennLive)

• Late PA Rep Was On Ballot Due To Law, Not Fraud. (AP)
• Now That The Late Tony DeLuca Has Been Re-Elected, What Happens Next? (Tribune-Review)

York County Ballot Recount Produces Same Result As Voting Machines. “Ballots from three York County precincts were recounted by hand Thursday, at the request of Audit the Vote PA, a group that has spread misinformation about election fraud.” (WITF)

PA Weighs The Extra Revenue As Another Neighbor Approves Marijuana. “Maryland becomes the third border state to legalize it, following New York and New Jersey. Delaware narrowly failed in a legalization effort, passing a bill in the Statehouse that was ultimately vetoed by its governor earlier this year.” (The Center Square)

Chester City Has Filed For Bankruptcy And Asked For Federal Mediation To Resolve Its Debts. “The state receiver appointed to oversee the financially distressed City of Chester filed for bankruptcy protection Thursday and asked for a federal mediator’s help to resolve a worsening fiscal crisis in Delaware County’s only city.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Opinion

• The New Model For Democratic Victories That Fetterman Established. (Jeff Gerritt)
• Black Voters Showed Up For John Fetterman. Now He Needs To Show Up For Them. (Jenice Armstrong)
• Doug Mastriano Betrayed His Party, And Let Down His Country. (David Mills)
• Trump Is The Gift That Keeps On Giving. To Democrats. (David La Torre)
• Run Joe Run! Why I Don’t Worry About Biden’s Age – And You Shouldn’t Either. (Jeffrey Sonnenfeld)
• The Lessons Of The 2022 Election. (Tribune-Review)