🌅 Good morning. It’s Thursday.
🗞️ In today’s Guide. How the AP Supreme Court elections could impact the 2028 presidential race Pennsylvanians say government and politicians are the state’s biggest problem. The PA-07 race highlights how Democrats are charting their path forward. Young black rodeo in Philadelphia.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. We didn’t start the fire. Billy Joel
Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️Irwin | Sunny, 62
☀️ Muncy | Sunny, 61
☀️ Hamburg | Sunny, 62
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (1-2) | The Dodgers are 8-2 | Thu vs. At Dodgers
Eagles (4-1) | You versus the judge
🏒 Flyers (0-0) | Thu vs. Florida
🏒 Penguins (1-0) | Thu vs. NY Islanders
🔊 What we hear. Pope Leo XIV on Thursday encouraged international news agencies to firmly defend themselves against the “ancient art of lies” and manipulation, strongly supporting free, independent and objective press.
📰 PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free.
The most critical story
1. How the Pennsylvania Supreme Court elections could impact the 2028 presidential race
“The typically restrained Pennsylvania Supreme Court race to determine whether three Democratic justices will remain on the bench for another 10-year term is drawing attention across the political spectrum amid speculation about the role the court could play in a swing state leading up to the 2028 presidential election.
Judges do not fight against any opponents. Instead, voters will simply answer “yes” or “no” on whether they want the three incumbents to remain on the state’s highest court.
This particular race could have national ramifications as it could potentially impact the 2028 presidential election – especially with the state supreme court presiding over matters such as election disputes and redistricting.”(ABC News)
Elsewhere
Inside the clumsy election to control the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. “The GOP is mounting a costly effort to end the Democratic majority on a court at the center of election lawsuits, launching a fledgling campaign season with little precedent or template.” (Screws)
Why are Josh Shapiro and others talking about abortion in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court race? “Almost every ad supporting the retention of Judges Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht prioritizes abortion rights as the reason Pennsylvanians must vote yes.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
PA-10: Pennsylvania Republicans are renewing their efforts to remove a MAGA congressman. “The group ‘Republicans v. Perry’ (rap) was formed in tardy 2023 in support of the congressman’s Democratic opponent, Janelle Stelson, who ultimately lost the 2024 election by less than two points. Now on Thursday, rap is resuming its grassroots campaign, which includes a slew of electronic billboards throughout the borough.Guardian)
Political strategists exploit artificial intelligence. “As campaigns are under pressure to create ads that run in a crowded media environment, they are turning to artificial intelligence to attract attention.” (Known)
Country
2. F&M Poll: Pennsylvanians say government politicians are the state’s biggest problem
“As Pennsylvania’s budget impasse reaches number 101, residents say politicians and government are the Keystone State’s biggest problem, a Franklin & Marshall College poll finds.
Nearly 1 in 4 respondents (23%) said government was their most critical issue, up from 10% just a year ago. In October 2024, 30 percent respondents said that the state cared most about the economy and finances. This time, that number dropped to 12%. (PolitykaPA)
Elsewhere
House Democrats send a recent budget proposal to the Senate on the 100th day of gridlock in Pennsylvania. “In their first public action in nearly two months amid a state budget impasse, Democratic-led House lawmakers approved a $50.25 billion spending proposal and sent it to the Senate for consideration.” (Penn Capital Star)
Lots of harsh rhetoric, little progress on Capitol Hill on the months-overdue budget. “Despite throwing increasingly sharp political barbs, Pennsylvania’s three-month-delayed state budget showed no sign of being any closer to completion this week.” (PennLive)
AP Senate passes bill allowing Treasury Department to waive interest on loans in budget impasse. “Republicans defended the measure as a way to give the treasury that power and ease the impact of the budget impasse on county governments and social service providers.” (Penn Capital Star)
The Supreme Court will likely allow candidates greater latitude to challenge state election laws. “A majority of the Supreme Court signaled Wednesday that it will allow candidates for federal office to more freely challenge state election laws without having to prove that the rules will significantly hurt their chances of winning.” (ABC News)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. PA-07: One substantial race among swing states shows how Democrats chart their path forward
“Democrats’ path to a House majority may run through a swing district in the nation’s largest swing state. The question is what path the party will take to get there.”
Since February, five Democrats have launched campaigns for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, a Republican-held seat in the Lehigh Valley Representative Ryan Mackenziewhich has gone back and forth and has seen some close races in the country in recent years. ”(NBC News)
Elsewhere
Mackenzie calls Democrats “reckless” in shutting down the government over health care subsidies it supports. “U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie continued to blame Democrats for the week-long federal government shutdown during a Tuesday town hall call.” (LhighvalliaEns)
Our interview with Stacy Garrity. “Broad + Liberty Editor-in-Chief Kyle Sammin met with State Treasurer Stacy Garrity to discuss the state treasury, budget impasse and issues surrounding her 2026 run for governor.” (Wide + Freedom)
SEPTA Funding and the Dangers of Political Theater. “We should consider not only what a spectacle like this reveals about the internal dynamics of politics in Pennsylvania, but also, more broadly, how politics works across the country.” (Swarthmore Phoenix)
Lehigh County Executive Candidates Discuss Crime Response, ICE, Election Security in Debate. “On Wednesday night, in the debate between Lehigh County executive candidates, one inappropriate moment intruded on an otherwise tightly managed and largely civic event.” (Morning talk in Allentown)
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. How an aspiring black rodeo rider found a home in Philadelphia
“When Ivan McClella was looking for a recent stable that would take his foal to the next level, it took him eight seconds to realize where he needed to go.
Why it matters: After almost three decades, Philly is having a black rodeo – and it’s here to stay.
Big picture: Philadelphia, home to a century-long black cowboy tradition, is the perfect place to establish the recent 8 Seconds Rodeo base. But first, he must dazzle the city he calls “the most brutal and spiritual place on the planet.”Axios Philadelphia)
Thank you for starting your day with us.
We turn around and head towards the weekend.
