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🎤 Today at the RNC. Pennsylvania delegation to hear Speaker Mike Johnson, Dan Meuser’s Representatives AND Glenn Thompson, Senators Kim Ward, Greg Rothman AND Judith Wardand RNC Co-Chairs Lara Trump. Today’s theme is “Make America Safe Again.”
👂 What do we hearGet ready to see a lot JD Vance in Pennsylvania, as the Trump campaign has placed him in the Keystone State, with additional trips to Michigan and Wisconsin.
🗞️ Today’s Swing State Headlines >> Your Inbox. Where can you find the latest on what’s happening in Keystone State politics? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Playbook. We’ll bring you all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8am. And it’s free. Add your name to the list and sign up now.
The best story
1. Trump selects JD Vance as vice presidential candidate
“Ex-president Donald Trump made his choice for vice president, choosing Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his vice presidential candidate.
Vance, who was elected to the Senate in 2022, rose to fame as the author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” a memoir about growing up in a working-class family in post-industrial Ohio that was published in 2016.
At the time, he was a “Never-Trumper,” calling Trump “dangerous” and “unworthy” of office. Five years later, Vance has reversed course, praising Trump’s record in office and winning his endorsement in the 2022 Ohio Senate election.” (PoliticsPA)
Related
JD Vance’s Youth and Background Could Help Trump in Pennsylvania“Pennsylvania delegates in Milwaukee overwhelmingly expressed approval for Vance (and a shrug).” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
- ‘Exciting’: Pennsylvania delegates, GOP politicians react to former Trump critic’s nomination for vice president. (WHY)
- 55 Things to Know About JD Vance, Trump’s Vice Presidential Candidate. (POLITICIAN)
PA delegates in spotlight as RNC begins after Trump assassination attempt“Media members converged on Pennsylvania’s Republican National Convention delegation for breakfast after the shooting in their state at a rally for former President Donald Trump.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Trump’s Butler Rally Was a Zero-Fail Mission for the Secret Service. How Did It Become a Massive Failure? “The federal agency that has protected American presidents for more than a century suddenly found itself the target of its own investigation after a failed assassination attempt by a 20-year-old who nearly shot former President Donald Trump.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
The Supreme Court has indeed increased the incentives to seek judges“When lobbyists and corporate interests want to influence future policy, they will put more money into the judiciary than they will into the president.” (known)
Country
2. NYT/Siena: Casey with 50-42 lead over McCormick; Trump 48-45 vs. Biden
“In a New York Times/Siena University poll conducted before the attempted assassination Donald Trumpthe former president gained an advantage of 48-45% over President Joe Biden.
That result matches the group’s last poll conducted in delayed April and is within the margin of error of +/-3.7% in the survey of 872 registered Pennsylvania voters.
NYT/Siena also indicated in its findings that Senator Bob Casey Jr. still leading Republican rival Dave McCormick“The three-term incumbent has an eight-point lead over the former hedge fund CEO, 50-42%. ” (PoliticsPA)
Related
After McCormick’s challenge to stop negative ads, Casey Campaign says it has already done so. “Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick’s proposal for Sen. Bob Casey to stop negative advertising fell flat Monday when Casey’s campaign said it had begun doing so Saturday night.” (PennLive)
The latest event in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s spotlight is his most vital since the failed assassination attempt on Trump“The governor has stepped into the national spotlight several times during his first term as governor. But none was more significant than Sunday, when the threat of political violence hit close to home.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Lee says Democrats need to focus on Trump during ‘scary times,’ blames GOP for toxic climate“As Republicans urge Democrats to tone down their rhetoric following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler County on Saturday, Pittsburgh congresswoman Summer Lee said the ugliness of the current political debate is “not a two-sided situation.”” (WESA)
PA-10 Democratic Candidate Janelle Stelson Doubles Scott Perry’s Second Quarter Lead“Stelson raised just under $1.34 million from April 4 through the end of June while spending $415,000. Perry’s campaign raised just under $625,000 from April 4 through the end of June while spending just over $345,000, campaign finance records show.” (Penn Capital-Star)
Around the Commonwealth of Nations
3. Walsh Declares Victory in HD-117; Cabell Considers Appeal Options
“After more than two months of waiting for appeals and court decisions, it appears we may have a winner in the Republican primary for the 117th Congressional District.
Pretender Jamie Walsh declared victory Friday after the Luzerne County Board of Elections counted votes from the remaining 12 provisional ballots. Walsh, who led the incumbent Mike Cabell three votes before the sealed envelopes were opened, he received seven of the twelve votes, with Cabell winning the remaining five.” (PoliticsPA)
Related
In Sleepy Butler, Pennsylvania, city workers are being inundated with emails of praise and threats: ‘You failed’“A call to the Butler city clerk-mechanic came in about noon Monday, with an angry man on the other end. ‘You failed, you failed,’ he told the city employee. ‘Put a gun to your head.'” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
‘This is special for us,’ Butler Memorial Hospital CEO says of Trump’s treatment after shooting. “The president of Butler Memorial Hospital was at her bachelorette party when she learned the hospital might be treating former President Donald Trump after he was shot at a campaign rally.” (Tribune Review)
Local law enforcement officers responsible for the building where the shots were fired“As security procedures continue to be reviewed following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, local police are now at fault.” (Central Square)
Some Delco officials lost their jobs over social media comments about Trump after shooting. “Some Delaware County public officials have resigned or faced backlash for their social media comments following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.” (Delaware County Times)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- The far-right’s Project 2025 has also avoided failure, and they know it. (There will be a Bunch)
- Why the left is in crisis over Project 2025. (Henry Lowman)
- Forget November, Biden should resign today. (Kyle Sammin)
- Was God There In That Moment? Trump Says, “Yes, Yes.” (Salena Zito)
- Killings have torn countries apart. America will not be one of them. (Adriana E. Ramirez)
- Pharmacy Benefits Manager Reform Will Save Pennsylvania Pharmacies. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
- State Rep. Aumenta’s call for education funding formulas will do more harm than good. (Thomas H. Crochunis)
- Tough times require people to read. (Tribune Review)
- Pennsylvania’s Bravest. (James Freeman)
1 thing
5. It’s Prime Day
Amazon’s two-day Prime Day event will drive record online spending this week, Adobe Analytics predicts.
The big news: Prime Day is expected to generate $7.1 billion in e-commerce spending in the U.S., according to a new report by Adobe.
That’s up 11.3% from last year. Another $6.9 billion is expected tomorrow — a 9.2% increase from last year.” (Axial)
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