🐫 Wednesday. This is the 128th day of the state budget impasse and the 36th day of the longest federal government shutdown in history.
🗞️ In today’s PoliticsPA Guide. Good night to be a Democrat in the Keystone State. Tsai and Neuman win vacancies on Pennsylvania state and superior courts. O’Connor elected as Pittsburgh’s 62nd mayor. Gift cards for GoFundMe?
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Blue Sky. The Allman Brothers Band
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌤️Pittsburgh | Rising Clouds, 65
☀️ State Higher School | Mostly clear, 65
🌤️Allentown | Rising Clouds, 65
Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (5-2) | Chicago 111-113 | Wednesday in Cleveland
🏒 Flyers (7-5-1) | Montreal 5-4 (YES) | Thu in Nashville
🏒 Penguins (8-4-2) | Thu vs. Washington
📰 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 significant story
1. Good night to be a Democrat in the Keystone State
“The polls for the 2025 municipal elections have closed and the provisional vote count has been released. Military/overseas and provisional ballots have not yet been counted, but winners have been announced and concessions have been made.
And yes, it felt good to wear blue. (PolitykaPA)
Elsewhere
Pennsylvania re-elects Supreme Court justices, increasing Democratic majority on the Supreme Court. “All three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices who were up for re-election on Tuesday will be given another term, ensuring Democratic jurists maintain their majority on the state’s highest court in a presidential battleground — one at the center of key fights over voting rights, redistricting and elections. The outcome will shape the makeup of the seven-member court until the next presidential election in 2028.”AP)
Pennsylvanians retained three Supreme Court justices. “In one of the most closely watched contests in the country, Pennsylvanians voted to give Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht another 10-year terms on the state Supreme Court.” (PolitykaPA)
Trump, Fetterman, McCormick and the Senate Filibuster. “On Tuesday, President Donald Trump’s advisers said the chief executive plans to throw a fit if Republican senators don’t vote to eliminate existing checks on power in the first branch of government.” (PolitykaPA)
Blue wave? Democrats are gaining momentum with high-profile races in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Virginia. “Was it a blue wave? Depends on who you ask.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Republicans just lost a statewide election in Pennsylvania. What does this mean for the future? “When the most important swing state in the country holds a vote, experts pay attention. This is what they see. ” (Slate)
Country
2. Democrats Tsai and Neuman win open seats on Pennsylvania state and supreme courts
“Democrat Stella Tsai won a seat on the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania while also being a Democrat Brandon P. Neuman secured a seat on the Supreme Court.
Pennsylvania’s two intermediate appellate courts play a key role in the state’s justice system, upholding or overturning decisions made in lower courts. Their decisions may be appealed to the state Supreme Court, which is the court of last resort in the commonwealth.
Judges who sit in the Commonwealth and High Courts often also sit in the Supreme Court.” (PA reflector)
Elsewhere
PA Supreme Court Retention
Christine Donohue | 👍61% 👎39%
Kevin Dougherty | 👍61% 👎39%
David Wecht | 👍61% 👎39%
PA Supreme Court | 🔵Brandon Neuman died Maria Battista, 56-43%
Supreme Court stoppage | Alice Beck Dubow | 👍62% 👎38%
PA Commonwealth Court | 🔵 Stella Tsai died Matt Wolford, 56-44%
Commonwealth Court Retention | Michał H. Wójcik | 👍62% 👎38%
Judge Neuman Makes History with Supreme Court Victory. “Judge Brandon Neuman made history Tuesday night by becoming the first candidate from Washington County to ever win an election to the appellate court, securing a seat on the state Supreme Court in an off-year election.” (Observer-Reporter from Washington)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Corey O’Connor elected as the 62nd mayor of Pittsburgh
“Tuesday night, after a huge victory, Allegheny County Comptroller Corey O’Connor was elected the 62nd mayor of Pittsburgh, a challenging task at a critical time in the city’s history.
He will lead a city where property tax revenues continue to decline, company vehicles continue to age and break down, and the NFL Draft – just a few months away – promises significant logistical hurdles to overcome as the overheated spotlights dim across the country.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Elsewhere
Attorney Larry Krasner continues his third term in a decisive victory against Dugan. “The Democratic incumbent district attorney easily defended against a second challenge from Republican candidate and former Municipal Court Judge Patrick Dugan.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Bucks County voters set record turnout in municipal elections; Dems Sweep County Racing. “Record Election Day turnout in Bucks County appears to have helped Democrats take key county offices – unseating the incumbent GOP sheriff and district attorney – in a blue sweep in Pennsylvania and across the country.” (Bucks County Courier Times)
Downingtown elects Pennsylvania’s first openly transgender mayor. “A small town just a few dozen miles west of Philadelphia made history Wednesday morning by electing Pennsylvania’s first openly transgender mayor.” (WHY)
Mayor of Pittsburgh | 🔵 Corey O’Connor died Tony Moreno, 85-12%
District Attorney of Philadelphia | 🔵 Larry Krasner died Patrick Dugan, 75–24%
Erie County Executive | 🔵 Christina Vogel died Brenton Davis, 62-38% (Erie Times-News)
Lehigh County Executive | 🔵 Joshua Siegel died Roger MacLean, 61-39% (Lehigh Valley Chair)
Northampton County Executive | 🔵Tara Zrinski d. Tom Giovanni, 59-41% (LehighValley Live)
Mayor of Allentown | 🔵Matt Tuerk died Ed Zucal, 72-28% (LehighValley News)
Greater Erie | 🔵 Daria Devlin died Mateusz Thomas, 75-24% (Erie Times-News)
Mayor of Harrisburg | 🔵Wanda Williams died Dan Miller, 56-43% (PennLive)
Mayor of Lancaster | 🔵 Jamie Arroyo died Tony Dastra, 84–11% (LNP)
Mayor of Scranton | 🔵 Paige Cognetti died Trish Beynon and Gene Barrett, 57.0–21.1–20.9% (WVIA)
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. Crowdfunding giant GoFundMe plans to sell gift cards
“GoFundMe has launched a up-to-date offer that allows you to purchase digital gift cards for your loved ones, allowing them to donate to their favorite nonprofits this holiday season. (Note: The product has not yet launched).
Gift cards start at $5 and cover a variety of themes and causes, including birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah and Ramadan, as well as cards for animal lovers, cancer survivors and conservationists. ((*5*)Technical breakdown)
Thank you for starting your day with us.
A long night is behind us. Time for a nap! We’ll talk more tomorrow.
