You could probably forgive Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Sharif Street if he decided to not only take a victory lap, but also ride on a rhetorical wheelie regarding the party’s performance in the November 8 midterm elections.
Pennsylvania Democrats captured both the Governor’s Office and the open U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania; they currently hold nine of the state’s 17 congressional seats; they took back the House of Representatives for the first time in 12 years (which is quickly getting complicated) and added one lawmaker to their ranks in the predominantly Republican state Senate.
But despite this, the community ‘remains solidly purple’ Streetwho is also a Democratic state senator from Philadelphia, said during an afternoon appearance Monday before the statehouse Pennsylvania Press Club.
In extensive comments, among others: Street widely reported on the midterms, as well as Senate Democrats’ legislative priorities for 2023 – and how far they can cross the goal line in the GOP-controlled chamber, and much less with the upcoming Senate impeachment trial Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.
Below are three takeaways from Street appearance.
On Krasner’s impeachment:
Street adjourned when an audience question about Republican-led impeachment is inevitable Krasnerappeared during his speech in the question and answer section.
House controlled by Republicans On November 16, they voted 107-85 to impeach Krasnera progressive who drew the ire of Republicans (and some Democrats) because they thought he wasn’t tough enough on crime.
The vote sent the articles of impeachment to the majority GOP Senate for consideration. Streetlike other senators, he will act similarly to a lay judge in these proceedings the last person to be convicted by the Senate was the former state Supreme Court Justice Rolf Larsen over a quarter of a century ago.
The Democratic lawmaker made his feelings clear when asked a question about rising crime and sinking arrests in the state’s largest city.
“The district attorney only brings charges after an arrest is made,” he said. “He can’t hire any more cops.”
In a conversation with reporters after his speech, among others: Street offered little in terms of trial timing and logistics.
“It’s evolving. We’ve been advised to really stay away from it because it’s a really evolving process,” he added. Street he said. “I can say we haven’t done something like this in a long time. And yes… working on logistics was a challenge for Senate staff. And remember… the Senate did not ask for this.”
The Senate is expected to return two days before the end of this year’s legislative session on Nov. 30 to address procedural issues related to the trial. But it’s unclear how things will progress from there.
Photos from campaign files
About running — and ruling — from the inside.
Reflecting on the victories of both Democrats Governor-elect Josh Shapiro and USA Senator-elect John Fetterman, Street he said they both ran and won from the middle, and both men were ahead in the polls President Joe Biden in counties it is Biden he won two years ago.
“Pennsylvanians are discouraged by partisanship.” Street he said, pointing to the former Republican’s large victories Governor Tom Ridgewhom no one would mistake for a progressive, but who nevertheless campaigned pragmatically during his electoral victories in 1994 and 1998.
“Josh Shapiro it had a moderate tone that people rallied around,” he said. “…We behaved like adults in the room.” which attracted Republicans and independents who were turned off by the Republican candidate Doug Mastriano demanding extremism.
“If only there were another kind of Republican [on the ballot]there would be a significant change.” Street allowed. “But Republicans did the right thing and rejected extremism. They understood that whoever gets the most votes wins and that we don’t hate each other.”
And while national Republicans tried to paint Fetterman as both a left-wing extremist and tender on crime, the current lieutenant governor’s efforts to connect with voters in Trump country still provided an crucial lesson in campaigning and resonated with voters in Pittsburgh’s suburbs.
” Fetterman’s formula “We should look at it as something he did well.” Street he said.
About life in the Sejm in 2023:
Democrats’ slim House majority combined with Republican returning majority in the state Senate is a reminder that ‘we still have divided government’ Street he said.
Street he said he believed in the coming Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-WestmorelandAND Majority Leader Joe Pittman, Indianathey are pragmatic and fair.
He said he was “cautiously optimistic” that Democrats would be able to work with the novel leadership of the upper house. But to get the bills on the floor, Democrats can’t move too far to the left because Pittman the office controls the voting calendar in the Senate.
“We need to be more pragmatic because Joe he will call the votes, and he is a pragmatic guy,” he said.
When asked to highlight Democrats’ legislative priorities for the novel session, Street presented a broad list that included “protecting voting rights, creating jobs, keeping people safe and protecting the environment.”
A well-known supporter of legalizing recreational marijuana, Street he said he still hopes to advance the bill through the chamber, even in the face of resistance from some Republicans.
“To do that, it doesn’t have to be our top priority,” he said.
