A new F&M poll shows both Casey and Wolf leading by significant margins, an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court over PA’s Congressional map was rejected, and a Democratic state House candidate backpedals after calling her constituents racist. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.
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Bob Casey and Tom Wolf. Franklin & Marshall College’s October poll released yesterday shows both Democratic incumbents hold double digit leads over their GOP challengers. Gov. Wolf leads by 26 in this most recent poll over Scott Wagner, while Sen. Casey is up by 15 over Rep. Lou Barletta. The Real Clear Politics average for Casey’s lead is 15.5 points, while Wolf’s average lead is 17.7 points.
GOP Map Appeal. The United States Supreme Court rejected an appeal made by Republican state legislators over the changes made this year to Pennsylvania’s Congressional district map. The state Supreme Court overturned the 2011 drawn map earlier this year deeming it unconstitutional and favoring Republicans. According to WITF, this latest appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was an effort for the court to “consider the matter before the 2020 election cycle.”
Keith Rothfus. The Republican Congressman and candidate for Pennsylvania’s newly drawn 17th District is viewed as a huge underdog against Rep. Conor Lamb. Candidates in his shoes have a choice: end the campaign with a scorched-earth hail mary, or go out on their terms. Rothfus chose the latter. His campaign released a powerful ad this week in light of the tragedy at Tree of Life synagogue that resulted in 11 deaths. The ad, “Indivisible,” shares a unifying message that we all stand together in this nation.
Rep. Vanessa Brown. Another Philadelphia Democrat found guilty. State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown was found guilty on all counts in a bribery case. Casey is expected to appeal this case. Democratic House Minority Leader Frank Dermody sent out a press release after the decision stating she must vacate her seat once sentenced. She is set to run unopposed next week, but a special election will be scheduled by the Pennsylvania Speaker of the House for the 190th District once the seat is vacated.
Brian Fitzpatrick. The Republican Congressman received some welcoming news in a new poll although it shows he’s still in for a fight on Election Day. The New York Times/Siena College poll shows the Republican incumbent leading Democratic candidate Scott Wallace by 1 point, which is a significant improvement from their previous poll just a couple of weeks ago that had Wallace leading by 7. The Fitzpatrick campaign can be satisfied that this newer poll has them in the lead, but it re-emphasizes the closeness of this race, in which FiveThirtyEight currently has listed as the only Toss-Up in Pennsylvania.
Trumpism in PA GOP. The bond remains strong with those running statewide. Rep. Lou Barletta in an interview with the Citizens Voice gave President Donald Trump an A for his job performance thus far, citing the low unemployment rate. GOP gubernatorial candidate, Scott Wagner’s final television ad of the campaign channels Trump’s message on immigration and their belief that the migrant caravan heading to the United States must be halted and met with military force.
Sara Innamorato. The Democratic Socialist candidate for Pennsylvania’s 21st state House District found herself in hot water after an interview with a local podcast, in which she described her district as racist. “I just look at my district, right? And it’s 93 percent white. My district, which I know is like white working class, poor folk, who are racist, because it’s so much easier for them to look to their side and say, ‘I’m going to blame that person.’” KDKA reported on the story and although Innamorato did not provide an on camera interview, she sent over a lengthy apology and explanation for her choice of words. Innamorato is unopposed for this seat. Meanwhile some entity is texting constituents urging them to write in Rep. Dom Costa.
George Scott. The Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District appears to be in for a close one on Election Night according to two new polls this week. New York Times/Siena College poll shows incumbent Rep. Scott Perry holding a 47-45 lead over the Democrat, while an ABC27/SP&R poll has Rep. Perry leading Scott 49-46. Both polls show the Republican with a narrow lead, but Scott recently received the endorsement of retired GOP state Senator Patricia Vance and debuted a new television ad with former GOP state Rep. Steve Nickol endorsing the Democrat as well. Vice President Joe Biden will be campaigning with Scott Sunday afternoon.
TWEET OF THE WEEK
Happy Halloween pic.twitter.com/jIgTaIMzep
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 31, 2018
Many Flyers fans attempted to dress like Gritty on Halloween, while Philadelphia’s newest mascot spent the day trying to get Kim Kardashian’s attention.
Can’t wait!
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) October 31, 2018
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9 Responses
Dom Costa is behind the write-in campaign against Innamorato. First he tried a republican write in campaign and now he is trying this. the number on the robo texts asking to write him in is from his campaign!
Hey Dom, shes still gonna kick your ass. you just punched your ticket off the Allegheny County Committee. Their bylaws do not allow members if they support any one other than the Democratic Nominee. That goes for you and any fool on the committee conspiring with you.
Want to run for Sheriff next year? Good Luck, they whole County now sees you are all about yourself. what happens if you’re losing in the primary? will you try the republican stunt again? and if you lose that (again) will you pull this crap. Follow Chuck Knoll’s advice and get on with your life’s work, it was good to see Paul show class, take notes.
ps- that commercial you ran climbing up from under the sink like PENNYWISE still scares the shit out of me and my kids.
Moreys,
Do we have to now worry that Costa will come back every 27 years now?
Not sure what Morey thinks, he went out for coffee with Jimmy Conway and we haven’t seen him.
I would think you’re right Ben.
In 2045 expect this campaign sign:
“Elect Dom Costa,
And you’ll float too!!”
Those liberal Republicans on the Supreme Court did it again.
Love those F&M polls that skew the results the way they want.
Haha, remember “Hilary will win” prediction.
Yea, I am going to laugh on Tuesday night at 8:01 PM when all the networks declare Wolf and Casey the winners.
PA and CA probably net the Dems +8 to +11 in the House. Where do the rest of the gains come from?
It is strange that PA seems to be diverging from the overall national trend in this election. In most parts of the country, it does seem as though the R’s have stopped the bleeding and there will not be a wave this cycle. The odds are the D’s will win enough House seats to capture a majority but it won’t come close to the 50+ variety. In the Senate, it seems as though the R’s will pickup a seat or 2. A few Gov races will do the Dems way though.
In PA, the exact opposite seems to be happening. The 2 at the top of the ticket are absolutely destroying the GOP in PA. Races that were thought to not be competitive are, all of a sudden, very competitive and need last second help. The absolute best case scenario seems to be a +3D in the House and complete wipe outs in the Gov and Sen races. The down ticket has to be worried. The calls I am receiving from the R’s have become more and more outrageous over the past week. That is a sure sign.
Maybe PA voters are recovering from their bout of insanity?