Add Todd Platts to the list of PA Republicans facing a conservative primary challenge next year. Ted Waga, who commutes to work every day as a Sergeant in the Baltimore County, MD police, has announced a bid for Platts’ 19th district seat.

Over a month has passed since Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee damaged and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, and many PA flood victims continue to struggle. PoliticsPA took a look at the recent activities of some of the elected officials who have remained on the ground and visible as the region continues to recover.

Capitolwire Bureau Chief Pete DeCoursey has an interesting peek behind the scenes of the Legislative Reapportionment Commission, and how the five-member body is likely to shuffle the state’s Senate districts.

The DNC isn’t talking 2012 re-election politics this morning. Instead, as the President travels to Pittsburgh, they’re sticking to the substance of the American Jobs Act. David Axelrod argues in a memo that Obama has the upper hand – and national support – for the jobs bill.

Accusing the President of running to the campaign trail in Pennsylvania rather than deal with the issues at hand, the RNC blasted Obama in advance of his speech in Pittsburgh.

Corbett will unveil his education policy today at Lincoln Charter in York, but some critics have pointed out that the school doesn’t meet state testing requirements.

Obama in Pittsburgh; Corbett’s education speech; conservatives target GOP PA Senators; we preview the Commonwealth Court race; Rep. Pitts moves a big abortion bill; and George Will weighs in on the Electoral College plan.

A statewide televised forum between the candidates for Superior Court will be held Friday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.

On Friday, the House will consider H.R. 358, the “Protect Life Act.” The measure, introduced by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), would prohibit federal funds from going toward any health care plan that covers abortion services; it also would block funding from being withheld from institutions that are opposed to providing abortions.

Influential conservative columnist George Will this weekend took a strong stand against plans by some Republicans to tinker with Pennsylvania’s Electoral College.