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Top Story

1. Big Personalities. Scant Policies

Pennsylvania has never been known for nominating and electing candidates with pizzazz.

That has all changed in 2022.

Start with the U.S. Senate candidates – John Fetterman and Mehmet Oz. A 6-foot-8 hoodie-wearing, tattooed Democrat and a smooth as silk daytime TV star Republican. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

The 2022 Midterm Elections Are Already Here. “The calendar may still say September, but voting in the 2022 midterm elections is already underway in several states.” (Roll Call)

PA State Troopers Association Endorses Democrat Shapiro, Republican Oz. “The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association on Wednesday threw its support behind Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro in a midterm election cycle that’s seen crime emerge as a major campaign issue.” (The Hill)

Scaring Voters to the Polls. How Political Ads Use Crime Statistics to Try to Sway Voters. “These types of ads, said Dan Gardner, author of the book “Risk: The Science And Politics Of Fear,” are “very deliberately designed to increase the feeling of a lack of safety. They want you to be afraid because that’s effective.” (Politifact)

• Oz Slaps Billboard Ripping Fetterman Smack in Middle of Braddock. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Oz Picks Up Key Endorsement From U.S. Chamber (Tribune-Review)

Polls

2. F&M Poll: Fetterman Has 3-Point Edge on Oz; Shapiro Leads Mastriano By 14

“One race is getting tighter while the other has shown separation.

Those are the takeaways from the latest Franklin & Marshall College poll that shows Democrats John Fetterman and Josh Shapiro still in front in their respective races.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Notes On The State of Politics. “With just under 6 weeks to go until Election Day 2022, Democrats’ prospects of holding 2 Great Lakes region governorships are improving. We are moving the contests in Michigan and Pennsylvania from Leans Democratic to Likely Democratic — both races feature proven Democratic candidates running against controversial and underfunded Republicans.” (UVA | Center For Politics)

• Fetterman’s Lead Is Shrinking as Oz Wins Over GOP Voters. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Fetterman Sees Unfavorable Rating Spike in Latest F&M Poll (PennLive)
• How Dr. Oz Tightened Senate Race With Fetterman. Is It a Warning Sign For Democrats? (USA TODAY)

Governor

3. Where Shapiro, Mastriano Stand on Crime, Justice Issues

“Month after month, Pennsylvanians cite their safety and related topics — crime, guns, drugs, and violence — as one of the top problems facing the commonwealth.

These concerns have colored this year’s governor’s race, in which candidates have discussed curbing violent crime and fighting inequities based in the justice system.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

Doug Mastriano Has Been Consistent About His Abortion Views For Years. “Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano, the GOP candidate for governor, didn’t answer Wednesday whether he still believes women should face murder charges if they obtain an abortion that is prohibited by state law.” (WESA)

• Doug Mastriano May Be 2022’s Worst Candidate (New York Magazine)

Around the Commonwealth

PA-10: Perry Spars With Challenger Daniels In TV Forum. “Republican U.S Rep. Scott Perry and his Democratic opponent, Shamaine Daniels, participated in a forum broadcast Wednesday, debating issues including inflation, immigration and Perry’s alleged role in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.” (PennLive)

PA House Preview: Capital Region. “We continue our series on the candidates for the Pennsylvania State House with a look at the Capital Region of the Keystone State.” (PoliticsPA)

SD14: Where Dean Browning and Nick Miller Stand On Inflation, Abortion, Crime and More. “About eight months after a new Senate district was created for the Lehigh Valley, the two candidates, Republican Dean Browning and Democrat Nick Miller, will come face to face in a debate Thursday night.” (The Morning Call)

Jeffrey Yass: The Billionaire Behind Pennsylvania’s Right-Wing Machine. “Pennsylvania has a thriving network of right-wing organizations with power and sway over the state government. In recent years, a lesser known billionaire has started to stand out for his outsized influence over the Pennsylvania right-wing movement: Jeffrey Yass.” (Eyes On The Ties)

DA Krasner To Fight Impeachment Effort at Today’s PA House Hearing in Philly. “Pennsylvania House Republicans will hold a hearing today over what they say is Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s “willful refusal” to tackle what they say is “unchecked violent crime” in the city.” (WHYY)

• Krasner’s Day of Reckoning Is Here (Delaware Valley Journal)

Republicans Have Nominated Jim Hasher and Drew Murray For At-Large City Council Special Election. “Both men acknowledged the city’s heavily Democratic electorate, but said they think they have a chance to peel away Democratic votes: “We’re underdogs, but we’re going into this election to win it.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Commentary

• Shapiro’s Plan to End Some Four-Year Degree Requirements Is a Winner. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• A Close U.S. Senate Race Could Mean PA Mail-In Madness All Over Again. (John Baer)
• Raise The Wage Or We’ll Continue To Fall Behind. (Holly Sklar)
• How Some Legislators Spent Their Summer Vacation. (Scranton Times-Tribune)
• GOP Hopes That “Commitment” Works Like “Contract.” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)