Search
Close this search box.

November 13th Playbook

On Thursday, Sen. Kim Ward was elected to serve as the Senate Majority Leader for the upcoming session, while Rep. Joanna McClinton was elected to serve as the House Minority Leader for the upcoming term. 

While three of the four caucuses have elected their leadership for the upcoming session in Harrisburg, we still await results from a few other races across the commonwealth. As of Friday morning, we still are waiting for a call in several state legislature races and multiple congressional candidates have also yet to concede. 

Want to see results from previous days? Check out PoliticsPA’s Wednesday (Nov. 4), Thursday (Nov. 5), Friday (Nov. 6), Monday (Nov. 9), and Tuesday (Nov. 10), and Wednesday (Nov. 11), and Thursday (Nov. 12), Election Playbooks. 

Here’s an update of where we stand as of Friday morning in PA. 

President. Former Vice President Joe Biden has defeated President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. The AP called the race for Biden on Saturday morning at 11:25 A.M. As of Friday morning, Biden leads Trump by 58,440 votes (0.85%) in the state with 98% estimated to be in. 

Statewide. For Attorney General, Josh Shapiro defeated GOP challenger Heather Heidelbaugh. The AP called the race for Shapiro last Friday afternoon. As of Friday morning, Shapiro leads Heidelbaugh by 287,565 votes (4.28%). For Auditor General, Republican Tim DeFoor defeated Democrat Nina Ahmad. The AP called the race for DeFoor last Friday morning. As of Friday morning, DeFoor leads by 222,545 votes (3.34%). For Treasurer, Republican challenger Stacy Garrity defeated incumbent Treasurer Joe Torsella. On Tuesday afternoon, Torsella conceded in the race. As of Friday morning, Garrity leads by 67,634 votes (1.02%). 

Congressional Races 

All incumbents have secured another term in Congress, although a few challengers have yet to concede in their races. 

PA7: Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) has defeated GOP challenger Lisa Scheller. The AP called the race for Wild last Friday afternoon. As of Friday morning, Wild leads by 13,730 votes (or by 3.8 points) with 96% of estimated votes reported. Scheller has not conceded in the race.

PA8: Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) has defeated GOP challenger Jim Bognet. The AP called the race for Cartwright on Friday afternoon. As of Friday morning, Cartwright leads by 11,625 votes (or by 3.4 points) with 94% of estimated votes reported. Bognet has not conceded in the race.

PA17: Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) has defeated GOP challenger Sean Parnell. The AP called the race for Lamb on Saturday morning. As of Friday morning, Lamb leads by 2.2 points (9,903 votes) and his lead looks to expand as more mail ballots are counted. Parnell has not conceded in the race.

State Senate and House

So far Republicans have flipped three state House seats, (HD-33), (HD-143) and (HD-123), most notably unseating House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny), and still have their sights set on defeating Rep. Joe Petrarca (D-Westmoreland). Democrats have flipped one seat in the Philly suburbs (HD-152), although a few other seats they are hoping to flip have yet to be called. For the state Senate, Republicans have flipped one seat in western PA (SD-37), while Democrats have flipped one seat in the Philly suburbs (SD-9), and another race in western PA has not been called yet. 

While results are not final in a number of districts, here’s an update of where things stand in competitive House and Senate races in PA. If we missed a competitive race where most results are in, and at least some writing is on the wall, please send me a note at John@PoliticsPA.com).

 

State Senate 

SD-45: Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) leads GOP challenger Nicole Ziccarelli by 30 votes, as of Friday morning, according to DOS. Ziccarelli filed an appeal in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on Thursday to “overturn a recent decision by the county’s board of elections that greenlighted the counting of 2,349 mail-in ballots – which were otherwise correct and submitted on time, but without a printed date on the outside,” according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State House

HD-18: Rep. K.C. Tomlinson (R-Bucks) holds a few point advantage over Democratic challenger Harold Hayes. As of Friday morning, Tomlinson leads by 5 points, according to DOS. Tomlinson has declared victory in the race. 

HD-50: State Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Greene) leads GOP challenger Larry Yost by just under 7 points, according to DOS. Snyder has declared victory in the race. 

HD-55: GOP challenger Jason Silvis holds a lead over Rep. Joe Petrarca (D-Westmoreland). As of Friday morning, Silvis leads by just under 5 points, according to DOS. 

HD-118: State Rep. Mike Carroll (D-Luzerne) leads GOP challenger Andrew Holter by 7 points, according to DOS. 

HD-119: State Rep. Gerald Mullery (D-Luzerne) leads GOP challenger John Chura by 5 points, according to DOS. 

HD-168: Rep. Chris Quinn (R-Delaware) leads Democratic challenger Deb Ciamacca by just over 2 points, according to DOS. 

McClinton Elected House Minority Leader: Rep. Joanna McClinton will be the first Black woman to serve as Minority Leader in Pennsylvania’s state House.

Ward Elected Senate Majority Leader: Sen. Kim Ward will be the first woman to serve as majority leader in Pennsylvania’s state Senate.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Penn. House Dems, Senate GOP elect first women floor leaders 
AP: Court blocks small number of ballots in Pennsylvania over ID 
AP: Parents, schools push back over proposed shutdown order 
AP: Shapiro still sees no evidence of Pennsylvania voting fraud
Spotlight PA: Tens of thousands of provisional ballots in Pa. still need to be processed 
The Caucus: Top Pa. senator’s campaign revives lawsuit against journalists over public records fees
Patriot News: Pa. Senate GOP majority elect new president pro tempore and first woman to serve as a majority leader
Patriot News: Pa. House Democrats elect new leaders for 2021-22 session
Patriot News: Pa. Senate Democratic leader criticizes GOP for launching investigations into integrity of election 
Patriot News: Black voters in Pa. played a pivotal role in 2020 election, tipping Joe Biden to victory
Patriot News: Trump organization renews bid to stop state from certifying the election results
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf announces leadership change at Pa. Department of Labor & Industry
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf signs 12th renewal of opioid disaster declaration
Patriot News: Philadelphia nurses ‘pushed to the brink’ are threatening to strike
Patriot News: Ongoing need for National Guard to fight COVID-19 in Pa. nursing homes drives request for Trump to expand benefits
Patriot News: Pa. tops 5,000 daily COVID-19 cases for the first time, setting another record
Rolling Stone: Big John Fetterman Can Save the Democratic Party — if the Democrats Let Him 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Tapped for leadership, Ward, McClinton shatter 244-year-old glass ceiling in Pa. General Assembly 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Report: Pa. elections chief Boockvar lacked authority to extend ballot deadline, state court rules 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As case counts climb, Levine says there’s ‘no plans’ for another shutdown 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Trump lawyer tells MontCo judge he has no evidence of fraud, report 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf extends Pa.’s opioid disaster declaration as COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket | Friday Morning Coffee
Inquirer: Trump lawyers withdraw from key Pennsylvania case challenging vote count 
Inquirer: Pa. appellate court sides with Trump in fight over ID deadlines for voters, tossing small number of ballots 
Post-Gazette: Trump campaign wins case on Pa. voter ID deadline
Post-Gazette: Boockvar asks judge to dismiss Pa. suit based on Trump’s ‘conjectural theories’
Post-Gazette: PennDOT to begin tolling major bridges to fund repairs, other roadwork
WITF: Pa. Army National Guard soldiers in COVID-19 hotspots are set to lose federal funding 
PLSReporter: McClinton makes history as Democrats reshuffle leadership 
PLSReporter: Pa. Senate GOP elects Corman pro tempore; Ward majority leader 
PLSReporter: As Pa. breaks yet another COVID-19 record, Levine continues to stress “collective responsibility” 
PLSReporter: L&I Secretary Oleksiak to retire in December
Morning Call: Republicans in Pennsylvania House and Senate discuss how to carry out reviews of 2020 election 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania budget picture looks a ‘lot better’; Sen. Browne attributes it to people, businesses toughing out coronavirus 
USA Today: House Democratic Leader Dermody loses election
KDKA: Judge Bars Pennsylvania State Secretary From Extending Deadline To ‘Cure’ Certain Mail-In Ballots
LNP | LancasterOnline: PA health secretary Dr. Rachel Levine urges public to avoid gatherings as COVID-19 surge continues
National Journal: Bob Casey Says He’s Not Interested in Running for Governor in 2022
The Hill: Pennsylvania nurses plan to go on strike as coronavirus surges 
The Hill: Law firm Porter Wright withdraws from representing Trump in Pennsylvania case
Politico: Another law firm bails out on Trump campaign
Fox News: Pennsylvania court: Secretary of state lacked authority to change deadline 2 days before Election Day
CNN: Law firm attempting to block Biden’s win in Pennsylvania leaves controversial Trump campaign case 
StateImpactPA: What Biden’s win means for the environment and the fight to rein in climate change 
StateImpactPA: Pittsburgh mayor touts ‘Marshall Plan’ for Appalachia, a proposed $600B for transition from fossil fuels to greener energy

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Retired Philly cops looking to unseat Larry Krasner lose first battle with billionaire George Soros
Billy Penn: Philly police seek extra $18 million for protest coverage and raises
WHYY Newsworks: Lawyer behind Trump’s legal campaign to win Pa. has a long history in Philly 
WHYY Newsworks: ‘This is a blank canvas’: Creating Philly’s new Citizens Police Oversight Commission
WHYY Newsworks: Former Trump staffer fishing for fraud with thousands of cold calls to Pa. voters is short on proof 
WHYY Newsworks: Dance On Philly hopes to revive the ballot-count street party 
Inquirer: Philly Black voters reflect on an election week when ‘history was made’ 
Inquirer: Philadelphia City Council votes to create a nonprofit fund aimed at pulling 100,000 out of poverty 
Inquirer: Philly City Council has formally apologized for the deadly 1985 MOVE bombing
Inquirer: Sixers president Chris Heck apologizes for ‘New Philadelphia’ comments 
Inquirer: Philly judge who wouldn’t wear a mask in his small, windowless courtroom has COVID-19
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia commits $10M in CARES funding for small business grants 
Philadelphia Magazine: Pour One Out for the PA Treasury Twitter Account
Philly Voice: New City Council bill pushes for preservation of Philadelphia’s murals 
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania teachers union calls for more schools to pivot to remote learning as COVID-19 cases spike 
KYW Newsradio: City Council will consider bill that would bar many employers from screening for marijuana use
KYW Newsradio: KYW Newsradio anchor Brandon Brooks announces retirement from decades-long broadcast career
Philadelphia Citizen: “I Call Them Momola and The Mensch”  
Philadelphia Citizen: How Lisa Deeley Saved Democracy 

SEPA
Daily Local News: How region voted: Biden scores big wins in Montgomery, Chester counties, loses big in Berks
Daily Local News: Charges filed in father-son voter fraud case in Chester County 
Daily Local News: Proposal would give West Chester residents $100 gift cards to support businesses 
Daily Local News: Chester County Election Board schedules challenge hearing for provisional ballots 
Bucks County Courier Times: Senate OKs Congressional Gold Medal for ‘Rosies’ 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County says ballots properly discarded 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County election officials hear provisional ballot challenges
KYW Newsradio: Vote expected Friday on whether or not Montco schools should go all-virtual 
KYW Newsradio: Delaware County officials say small gatherings are to blame as COVID-19 cases climb
Inquirer: Montgomery County delays vote on closing schools in response to coronavirus surge after uproar from angry parents
WHYY Newsworks: ‘We really want to avoid a lockdown’: Delco officials warn of COVID-19 surge overwhelming hospitals
Delco Daily Times: Delco ERs filling to capacity with new COVID cases
Bucks Local News: Fitzpatrick announces senate passage of bipartisan ‘Rosie the Riveter’ Congressional Gold Medal Act 

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: GOP candidate appeals Allegheny County decision to count ballots with incomplete declarations 
Post-Gazette: Peduto joins mayors from W.Va., Ohio, Ky. to call for public/private support in climate-friendly industrial growth 
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 pandemic spreads in Pennsylvania; state ‘can’t predict the future’
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh a ‘hub’ for white supremacy, FBI analysts say
KDKA: Mayor Peduto Unveils ‘Marshall Plan For Middle America’ Aimed At Transitioning To A Green Economy 
KDKA: President-Elect Joe Biden’s Statewide Victory Carried By Strong Showing In Allegheny County And Small Gains In Surrounding Areas
KDKA: Around The Table: Unifying Country After Election
KDKA: Coronavirus In Allegheny County: Leaders Say No New COVID-19 Orders Are Planned, But They Will ‘Intervene If Necessary’
KDKA: Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Asks For $1 Million Election Fraud Reward Payable In Sheetz Gift Cards From Texas Lt. Governor
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 412 New Coronavirus Cases, 3 Additional Deaths
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh police reform task force members call on city officials to act on report 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County posts new record number of coronavirus cases, 3 new deaths
Tribune Review: Allegheny County officials plead for ‘wake-up call’ amid rising covid numbers
Pittsburgh Business Times: Covid-19 numbers break records again, spiking in rural areas
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh signs sister cities agreement with Glasgow
City Paper: Fox Chapel Borough Council to vote on removing slur against Native Americans from trail, street, and waterway names
City Paper: An ongoing tally of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in Allegheny County
WESA: As Hospitals Prepare For COVID-19 Surges, Some Are Reluctant To Speak With Contact Tracers
WESA: Trump Lawsuit A ‘Longshot,’ But Could Complicate Vote Certification
The Incline: Pittsburgh voted for police oversight. Now what?

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Washington County Elections Board unanimous in tackling challenged provisional ballots 
Observer-Reporter: State comes through with matching grant for county comprehensive plan 
Observer-Reporter: Biden-Harris victory is an emotional one for some
Post-Gazette: Republican Kim Ward named state Senate’s first female majority leader
KDKA: Westmoreland County Elections Board Continuing To Count Provisional Ballots
KDKA: Washington County Approves Counting Of All Provisional Ballots Cast On Election Day
KDKA: Shell Cracker Plant In Beaver Co. Reports 39 Cases Of Coronavirus
KDKA: Butler County Leaders Pleading With Residents To Wear Masks, Avoid Gatherings
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County reports record 207 new coronavirus cases
Tribune Review: Kim Ward becomes 1st woman to serve as majority leader in Pennsylvania Senate history
Altoona Mirror: Joyce optimistic about next Congress
Altoona Mirror: Election board OKs rejected ballots

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County voter turnout approaches 70% with provisional ballot count 
The Times Leader: Last-minute poll book additions discussed by election inquiry committee 
The Times Leader: New records: 192 new cases of COVID-19 in county; 5,488 statewide
Citizens Voice: Election equipment vendors describe training, election day issues 
Citizens Voice: Public, council weigh in on Wilkes-Barre 2021 budget at hearing 
Citizens Voice: No shutdown plans even as COVID-19 cases spike 
Times-Tribune: Scranton mayor proposes no-tax-increase budget
Times-Tribune: Levine: COVID-19 cases higher, but hospitals handling rise for now

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County completes ballot count for 2020 election 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County leaders, health officials keep wary eye on surging COVID-19 cases
LNP | LancasterOnline: 194 new COVID-19 cases Thursday mark Lancaster County’s second-highest daily total 
York Dispatch: York County spokesperson: Trump’s ‘gaslighting’ eroding trust in election, local officials 
York Dispatch: After 4 months York County won’t release public information; other counties did so in days 
York Dispatch: York County has one new COVID-19 death, 126 new cases
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 67 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Cumberland County as four counties in region see 100+ cases 
Patriot News: Group of Trump supporters in Dauphin County unwavering while awaiting court rulings on election results

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Nearly 75% of Lehigh Valley voters cast ballots in presidential election – highest rate in years 
Express Times: We love you Philly, but you didn’t swing Pa. in this election. Northampton County, others did.
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 5,488 new cases sets new record; deaths rise by 49; Lehigh Valley reports 335 more, 7 shy of record; Lehigh County over 8K cases with 202 new ones | Pa. COVID-19 county map (11/12/20)
WFMZ: Battle over votes continues in Northampton County 
WFMZ: Berks commissioner says no county tax increase for 2021 
WFMZ: Future of police coverage in parts of Berks still unclear 
WFMZ: 3rd floor of City Hall in Easton to close next week amid rise in COVID-19 cases 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania budget picture looks a ‘lot better’; Sen. Browne attributes it to people, businesses toughing out coronavirus 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 5,488 more cases added Thursday with community spread in all age groups, health secretary says
Reading Eagle: Berks County election officials muddle through issues with mailed, provisional ballots
Reading Eagle: Reading taking extra precautions at City Hall during coronavirus pandemic 
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania teachers union urges schools in counties, like Berks, with high coronavirus numbers to go virtual 
Reading Eagle: Berks County adds 132 coronavirus cases and will end the reporting week up about 30%

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: ‘An honor of a lifetime.’ Corman nominated to top job in the Pennsylvania Senate
Centre Daily Times: Nov. 12 update: Pa. shatters record with more than 5,000 COVID-19 cases; Centre adds 89
Erie Times-News: Dahlkemper wants diversity, inclusion officer 
Erie Times-News: Dahlkemper: County faces worst COVID-19 surge 
Erie Times-News: Poll workers test positive for COVID-19 
Erie Times-News: Erie County reports record 124 new cases of COVID-19 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Judge denies request to move election hearing
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lawmakers call for election audit
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 32 new COVID-19 cases, 5,488 additional cases statewide

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: N.J. legalized weed. Now it’s Pa.’s turn.
Inquirer Editorial Board: Coronavirus fatigue is real. So is the need for us to stay home again. 
Inquirer Staff: Pa. turned blue for Biden. Here’s what 12 mayors across the state hope that means for us. 
Inquirer Staff: As Supreme Court debates Philly-based foster case, should laws allow religious exemptions? | Pro/Con
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Counting votes takes time 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Evidence required
Paul Muschick: A new order from President Trump is racist, says the head of a local agency that intends to defy it
Chris Kelly: Coronavirus Diaries Day 248: Let’s Go To The Tape! 
Tony Norman: QAnon Confidential: A plea for marching orders from ‘The One’
Will Bunch: How Georgia’s women of color beat voter suppression and saved democracy 
Michael Gerhardt: Is Trump treasonous? A legal scholar unpacks 
Trudy Rubin: Trump’s not staging a coup, but attacking democracy and helping U.S. enemies 
Rob Tornoe: Four Seasons Total Landscaping should be named a historical landmark | Cartoon
Christopher Beem: In appealing to ‘give each other a chance,’ Biden recalls the democratic charity of Abraham Lincoln

5 Responses

  1. So surprising that so many GOP could bring themselves to vote for a woman. They’ll probably still expect her to make the coffee and wash up the dishes.

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