📖 Today’s #PoliticsPA Guide. Garrity still needs to convince leading Republicans that she is worth investing in. AP lawmakers have a long wish list for 2026 despite tight state finances. Philadelphia sues Trump administration over removal of slavery exhibit. Southwest Ends seating opens tomorrow
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🔈 What we hear. “Stacy will need to attract domestic investment in the same way as Josh.” Matt Brouillette he said. “Our donors are not enough. Stacy will have to be competitive at the national level for this to be a race.”
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The most crucial story
1. Stacy Garrity still needs to convince top Republicans that she is worth investing in
“In the race for Governor of Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity still has a lot of work to do.
With just over nine months until Election Day, the state’s GOP-endorsed candidate must convince top GOP donors that her campaign is worth investing in by proving she can motivate voters — and defeat popular incumbents Governor Josh Shapiro.
So far, it has a significant basis to make up ground in the fight against the Democratic machine that Shapiro now effectively controls as he continues to build his profile across the country.’ | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elsewhere
Strongly support Stacy Garrity in Bradford County, but there are national economic concerns. “As the PA governor’s race heats up, residents of Garrity’s home county are expressing frustration with the economy and politics.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Josh Shapiro weighs in on nationwide ICE rollouts and the midterm elections at the Book Tour launch. “In promoting the memoir, which is scheduled for release on January 27, Shapiro addressed Pennsylvania’s willingness to take statewide action against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Outside the library, protesters called on Shapiro to refuse to cooperate with ICE.” | Pennsylvania Daily
Former Obama, Biden officials fume over Shapiro’s claims in up-to-date book. “Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is facing a backlash from Democratic Party leaders over his recent claim that he had to undergo additional screening to become Kamala Harris’ vice presidential running mate because he is Jewish.” | Axles
A conversation with Josh Shapiro about a life of service and faith. “In his new memoir, Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service (to be published Tuesday by HarperCollins), the 52-year-old governor details his childhood and decades-long career.” | CBS News
Country
2. PA lawmakers have a long wish list for 2026 despite tight state finances
“State lawmakers’ 2026 wish list – from transportation and education funding to arcade gaming regulations and a up-to-date family and medical leave program – will require bipartisan cooperation and patience to become a reality.
Once they get started, the common thread in legislators’ strategies will be the awareness that there is a lack of money – or perhaps very little.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Elsewhere
Shapiro is popular with voters, but not so much with other Democratic officials. “Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is wildly popular with voters in his critical battleground state. But among some top Democrats who know him personally, feelings are lukewarm and sometimes even resentful.” | Axles
Summary of re-election announcements. “Here is a list of members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly who, as of January 22, 2026, have announced their intention to seek re-election in 2026.” | PoliticsPA
Democratic candidate elected to special election for House of Representatives in HD-193. “The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Democratic Campaign Committee announced it has nominated Todd Crawley, former director of public and environmental health and safety at Harrisburg Area Community College.” | abc27
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Philadelphia sues over removal of slavery exhibit at Independence National Historical Park
“The City of Philadelphia filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration after the National Park Service removed a slavery exhibit at Independence National Historical Park.
The lawsuit in which named Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum AND National Park Service acting director Jessica Bowronrequests the issuance of a preliminary injunction to restore the exhibits located in the Presidential Office, where the Presidents stay George Washington AND John Adams they lived in the years when Philadelphia was the capital of the country.” | PolitykaPA
Elsewhere
PA GOP Legislator Says Good on Slavery Signs at Independence Mall. “When did we become a people who talk more about our failures and weaknesses than we celebrate our successes in overcoming those weaknesses,” Rep. Valerie Gaydos said on her personal Facebook account, responding to a Fox 43 video featuring this story. | Key
Here are the races to watch in Lancaster County this year. “In 2025, Lancaster County voters learned that nothing is as certain as certain.” | LNP
The rise of data centers is becoming a mid-term issue for voters. “Data centers used to power AI are popping up across the country and are becoming a mid-term issue for voters that is now gaining the attention of the White House.” | NPR
How Jamie Gauthier forged a up-to-date path to power in Philadelphia City Hall. “Gauthier generally voted progressive, but at times compromised in ideological battles to prioritize her district.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. Southwest Ends Tuesday – Subway pays $20 for middle-seat selfies
“For one day only – coinciding with Southwest Airlines’ elimination of open seats, a key element of what makes this flight special – anyone who submits a selfie in the airline’s middle seat will receive a $20 Subway gift card.
A total of 737 gift cards will be available on January 27 (Southwest only flies Boeing 737s), is first-come, first-served and open to anyone 18 years of age or older in the U.S. Simply upload a photo of you sitting in the middle seat of an airplane (any airline) taken that day, and as long as it reasonably shows you between two seats with armrests and seats on either side, you should receive a gift card (if there are any left). “Your face doesn’t have to be visible.” | View From the Wing
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