Governor-elect Corbett earned praise from an unexpected corner this week. Environmental advocacy group Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) congratulated Corbett on his nominee for Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Cumberland County Democrats have a primary fight of their own this year, possibly pitting the county committee against organized labor. Two long-time public servants in the county are facing off against a relative newcomer with strong labor ties.

There’s been a lot of speculation over Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato’s future, but Target 11 has learned he will not run for re-election. Sources told Target 11 investigator Rick Earle that Onorato will likely finish out the remainder of his term this year and will then run for statewide office again.

The election defeat of Rep. Paul Kanjorski and the ignominious departure of State Senators Robert Mellow and Rafael Musto have created a perfect storm for Northeast PA, an area that is heavily dependent on state and federal funding for economic development.

Pennsylvania Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason announced his support for Reince Priebus over incumbent Chairman Michael Steele to head the Republican National Committee.

By G. Terry Madonna & Michael L. Young. Rendell was a larger than life personality; by turns personable and irascible, candid but sometimes cryptic, ideological while also pragmatic, and predictably unpredictable in personal settings. He was great copy for journalists that found his frankness refreshing. And he always and everywhere was on stage, a consummate performer in the guise of a consummate politician.

State Representative Chelsa Wagner (D-Brookline) announced her candidacy for Allegheny County Controller. Rumored as a candidate last week, today Wagner officially joins what is likely to be a crowded primary field for the office.

by Christopher Nicholas Nicholas was one of PoliticsPA’s Top Operatives of 2010 Now that the Census Bureau has re-apportioned America’s 435 Congressional districts among the states and Pennsylvania is set to lose a seat, the serious task of re-districting — a political process controlled by politicians — can begin. Essentially the state’s 19 congressional districts […]

State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe hosted a press conference yesterday in Washington DC to decry so-called “anchor babies.” It’s the latest high-profile media appearance he’s earned with his Tea-Party-style immigration proposals. PoliticsPA sat down with Metcalfe to discuss his effort to play a national role on the issue.

Tom Corbett’s pick for Secretary of Health, New York health official Eli Avila, has professional qualifications that line up well with the position. But a New York Daily News story from 1999 shows that Avila might have difficulty adjusting to the mundane real estate of Harrisburg.