🐪 It’s Wednesday. Another beauty. Let’s enjoy it while we can!
Pennsylvania Weather
☀️ Uniontown | Sunny, 82
☀️ Northumberland | Sunny, 84
☀️ Upland | Sunny, 85
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (69-50) | Miami 0-5 | Wed vs. Miami
⚾ Pirates (56-63) | San Diego 0-3 | Wed vs. San Diego
⚽ Union (League Cup) | Cincinnati 4-2 | Saturday vs. Mazatlán
👂 What do we hear“The Democrats are trying to win as the party of women, and the Republicans are trying to win as the party of men,” she says. Richard V. Reevesfounding president of the novel research group American Institute for Boys and Men.
👀 What do we seeA poll this morning from Cook Political Report shows Kamala Harris with a lead of 48-43% in polls Donald Trump in a multi-candidate race in Pennsylvania.
🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for Representative Dane Watro.
🗞️ Pennsylvania Headlines >> Your Inbox. Where can you find the latest news on what’s happening in Keystone State politics? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Playbook. We’ll deliver all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8 a.m., and it’s free. Add your name to the list and sign up now.
The most crucial story
1. Trump heads to Wilkes-Barre rally, Vance visits western Pennsylvania
“Pennsylvania remains in the spotlight on the national election stage as former President Donald J. Trump returns on Saturday to a campaign rally in Wilkes-Barre, the county seat of Luzerne County.
Northeastern Pennsylvania proved to be a Trump stronghold in the 2020 election.
One sec President Joe Biden comfortably won Lackawanna County and, by a lesser margin, Monroe County, Trump cruised to victory in Luzerne County and five other counties on its border: Wyoming, Sullivan, Columbia, Schuylkill and Carbon.” (CNHI News)
- Trump’s planned return to Butler: Praised by some, questioned by others. (Indiana Newspaper)
Related
Harris and Walz Announce Pennsylvania Bus Tour Launches in Pittsburgh“Presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are set to begin a bus tour of Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh on Sunday. While a specific schedule has not yet been released, the tour is expected to focus on meeting voters in public places, such as retail stores, and will also include campaign kickoff events.” (Greensburg Tribune-Review)
Americans give Harris an edge over Trump on honesty and discipline, AP-NORC poll finds. “Nearly half of Americans say “committed to democracy” and “disciplined” are traits that better describe Harris. About 3 in 10 say those traits better describe Trump.” (AP)
In Pennsylvania, Harris can’t shake off her anti-fracking past“After years of positioning herself as a climate crusader and staunch opponent of fracking, Kamala Harris has shied away from mentioning such credentials in this must-win state for Democrats, where natural gas powers the economy, culture and everyday conversation.” (Washington Post)
- McCormick criticizes Harris for flip-flops, Casey for fentanyl ad. (DV Journal)
Country
2. Democrats have an advantage over the Republican Party in registered voters by 356,000.
“Democrats (3.9 million) continue to have a registration advantage over Republicans (3.55 million) by about 356,000 voters. The number of unaffiliated voters is just over one million (1.03 million), while the number of non-affiliated voters is just under 345,000.
Democrats dominate the big cities and southeastern counties, handing the state’s remaining 54 counties to the Republican Party.” (PoliticsPA)
Related
The fight for Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives continues, with door-to-door campaigning and speculation about the fallout from Trump and Harris“The fight for control of Pennsylvania’s closely divided House of Representatives is playing out on thousands of doorsteps across the state.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Forward Party Puts Couple on Pennsylvania Ballot. “Eric Settle of Montgomery County and Chris Foster of Allegheny County will be placed on the November ballot for attorney general and state treasurer.” (PoliticsPA)
Pennsylvania diminutive businesses are getting record amounts of work from state government“An initiative launched by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration last September to help small businesses navigate the state government contracting process is paying off.” (PennLive)
Reading could become third Pennsylvania city to ban ghost guns after court ruling“Reading City Council took the historic step of banning the sale or transfer of so-called ghost guns — unnumbered firearms made from 3D-printed parts, kits or components that can be sold without background checks.” (Penn Capital-Star)
The cost of gun violence in Pennsylvania is $567 million. “The debate about preventing gun violence often comes down to constitutionality and grim crime statistics. While the impact of the problem on people cannot be fully measured, it is not impossible to put some real numbers behind the consequences.” (Central Square)
Around the Commonwealth of Nations
3. ‘City dwellers’ who moved to Philadelphia’s booming suburbs could facilitate Kamala Harris defeat Donald Trump in Pennsylvania
“Jenna Richter I never planned on moving to the suburbs.
“We are city people who moved to the country,” said Richter, 38.
Liberal Democrat Who Hates Former President Donald TrumpRichter took her politics with her. She plans to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris this year. People like Richter have defined the political shift to the left in her new city and across Philadelphia County.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Related
Pittsburgh referendum on banning doing business with Israel faces legal challenges“Pittsburgh city operations could grind to a halt — buildings would be dark, public transit riders would be stranded, firefighters would be unable to enter burning buildings and paramedics would be unable to administer life-saving drugs — if a proposed legislative measure to sever all ties with Israel passes in November.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Lancaster County Democrats Plan Private Meeting to Replace Rep. Mike Sturla on Vote. “Democratic Party officials in the parts of Lancaster County covered by the 96th Legislative District are scheduled to meet Wednesday night to choose a preferred candidate to run for state House in November.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)
Somerset County among governments adjusting policies amid flood of AI data requests“The flood of Freedom of Information Act requests filed using artificial intelligence tools has left public records officers at government agencies across Pennsylvania, including Somerset County, baffled.” (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat)
Philadelphia’s influential figures speak out on their growing political influence“Political campaigns hope to turn an influencer’s authentic relationship with their audience into votes for their candidate.” (WHY)
Podcast: Rolling with Conor Lamb. “Former congressman Conor Lamb shares personal anecdotes from working with Tim Walz. He also provides unique insights into how national Democrats can best communicate about the natural gas industry.” (Politics at the Kitchen Table)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- Tim Walz embodies the best of the working class. (Joseph Sestak)
- The first debate was great for Donald Trump? But the second? With Kamala Harris? (Gene Collier)
- Harris Uses Trump’s Tactics Against Him – Will It Work? (Keith Naughton)
- The fight for girls’ rights continues despite the Title IX impasse. (Beth Ann Rosica)
- Education is a responsibility, not a political game. (Greensburg Tribune-Review)
- A second Donald Trump presidency is risky. (Bill Gindlesperger)
- Richard Nixon held my heart. I understand Trump’s appeal. (Dana Minutillo)
1 thing
5. The existential crisis of dating apps
“As public attitudes toward dating apps have shifted from taboo to fun and frustration, companies associated with them are being forced to rethink their products.
The big picture:Dating apps were initially groundbreaking, each with its own unique flavor — Tinder was all about swiping to meet people, Hinge connected mutual friends through Facebook, and Bumble let women make the first move.
Over time, these lines began to blur as apps began to converge toward the same growth and monetization strategies.” (Axial)
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