😁 Another crazy Monday. Thank you for supporting PoliticsPA Handbook
Pennsylvania Weather
☂️ Bethel Park | Mostly dull, showers, 75
☔ Bloomsburg | Showers, 64
🌂 Bethlehem | Mostly dull, chance of showers, 69
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (92-64) | NY Mets 1-2 | Mon-Wed vs. Chicago Subs
⚾ Pirates (73-83) | Cincinnati 2-0 | Tuesday-Thursday vs. Milwaukee
🏈 Penn State (3-0) | Kent State 56-0 | Saturday vs. Illinois
🏈 Pitt (4-0) | Youngstown State 73-17 | October 5 vs North Carolina
🏈 Temple (1-3) | Utah State 45-29 | Thu. vs. Army
🏈 Eagles (2-1) | New Orleans 15-12 | Sun vs. Tampa Bay
🏈 Steelers (3-0) | LA Chargers 20-10 | Sun vs. Indianapolis
⚽ Union (9-9-12) | DC United 4-0 | Saturday vs. AtlantaUnited
🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for Representatives Jim Struzzi AND Dan Williams. They share their special day with Bruce Springsteen, who turns 75 today.
🗞️ You asked for PA News. We deliver. 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. Undecided PA Voters on Upcoming Decision: ‘I Want to Know More About Kamala’
“Paul Johnson voted for Donald Trump in 2016, but he felt he had ruined his first term, so Johnson voted for Joe Biden in 2020.
Now the retired West Oak Lane contractor isn’t sure what to do in the race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Johnson is among a small but influential group of undecided voters in Pennsylvania who say they plan to enter the race but have not yet made up their minds.“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Elsewhere
Voter registration: Pennsylvania GOP continues gains, but Democrats surge in key blue areas“We’re just a month away from the Oct. 21 voter registration deadline in Pennsylvania, and Republicans continue to gain ground across the state.” (Penn Capital-Star)
Trump returns to western Pennsylvania battleground as Harris’ surrogates make her case“As if there were any doubt about the central role Western Pennsylvania will play in the November election, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will return to the area Monday night — even as Democratic rival Kamala Harris has sent surrogates there in the past few days and plans to return to the state herself later this week.” (WESA)
- Trump returns to western Pennsylvania today; Harris will reportedly be in Pennsylvania by midweek. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
- Trump rejects Harris’ call for October debate. (CNHI News)
Trump vs. Harris – A One-State Race. “So why is Pennsylvania so crucial? Because changing two states is easier than changing three. Or, to put it even more simply: 2 < 3." (Asia Times)
PolitykaPA Poll Tracker“Here’s the PoliticsPA Poll Tracker, which aggregates the latest poll results from credible sources that survey likely and registered voters in the Keystone State.” (PoliticsPA)
Country
2. What did PA US Representatives and Senators say when asked if they would accept the election results?
“Senator Bob Casey and 10 U.S. House Representatives from Pennsylvania, including one Republican, have expressed their commitment to certifying the presidential election results, regardless of whether it is the former president Donald Trump Or Vice President Kamala Harris is the winner.
USA TODAY Network emailed the same question to Pennsylvania’s 17 congressional representatives and two senators: Once the states certify the election results, will you accept the results and vote to certify them, regardless of which presidential candidate wins?
When asked if they would accept the vote, seven Republican Party representatives did not respond. (USA Today Network)
Elsewhere
Fetterman says fracking won’t be a deciding issue in Pennsylvania’s presidential race“’I totally support fracking. And so does Vice President Harris,’ says Pennsylvania U.S. senator.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Perry’s actions speak louder than his words that election results are ‘the will of the people’. “Benjamin Franklin is credited with the quote, ‘Well done is better than well said.’ In the case of Rep. Scott Perry (R-10), his actions may speak louder than his words.” (PoliticsPA)
AG candidate on Sunday, GOP candidates in Pennsylvania House of Representatives race get support from Yass-backed fund. “Republican Attorney General candidate Dave Sunday and GOP candidates in eight Democratic-controlled state House districts have received at least $7.7 million in television ad support from a PAC backed by conservative megadonor Jeff Yass.” (Penn Capital-Star)
Pennsylvania Elections 2024: Complete Guide to US Senate Candidates“Pennsylvania voters will help determine the balance of power in the U.S. Senate by choosing from among five candidates on November 5.” (PA reflector)
Around the Commonwealth of Nations
3. Amid Anti-Immigration Rhetoric, Central PA Fruit Belt Community Embraces Diversity
“For generations, white, then black and Latino, farm workers formed the backbone of York Springs’ massive apple-growing industry, helping to establish Pennsylvania as the nation’s fourth-largest apple-producing region.
In the face of controversial nationwide rhetoric on immigration, ‘York Springs’ offers a unique response to the persistent — and baseless — portrayal by many GOP leaders Donald Trump “down that immigrants are ruining the country, bringing with them increased crime, gang violence, disease and straining local services.” (PennLive)
Elsewhere
Zelensky expresses gratitude, locals show support as Ukrainian president visits Scranton ammunition plant“On Sunday, at an army ammunition plant in Scranton, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude multiple times.” (WVIA)
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remains steady“For the 11th consecutive month, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.4% in August.” (PoliticsPA)
Election denial group ‘PA Fair Elections’ plans to surveil voting machines in Lancaster County. “The Lancaster County Board of Elections granted PA Fair Elections access to observe logic and accuracy tests that are closed to the public but open to certain organizations, candidates and political parties.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)
Does Your Voter Registration Status Affect Your Health? Hospitals Say Yes, Register People to Vote in November. “Penn Medicine, Jefferson Health, Main Line Health are among the Philadelphia-area hospital systems helping patients register to vote.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Vote on self-government could open fresh chapter for Wilkinsburg“The proposal for a stronger mayor and more flexible tax authority depends on voter acceptance.” (Public source)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- On immigration, Donald Trump offers only division and disaster. (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
- We uncover the legal sleight of hand behind Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. (Mark Bowden)
- The shadowy mood of the nation can determine the outcome of the election, even though it is wrong. (Bruce Ledewitz)
- What I say to candidates and political action committees that want my money (besides “no”).DB Autumn)
- To save lives, I am a Republican, and I am doing everything in my power to make sure Donald Trump is defeated. (James C. Greenwood)
- Beware, voters: Some campaign ads are outright lies. (Mark S. Singel)
- Tim Walz and the Politics of Football: Democrats Take on the Game of Manhood. (GF-Fuller)
- Penn State once again attacks student journalism. (Greensburg Tribune-Review)
1 thing
5. Australia’s Giant King Penguin Chicken Pesto Became a Social Media Star
“A giant king penguin chick named Pesto, who weighs as much as both his parents combined, has become a social media star and an attraction at an Australian aquarium.
Pesto, weighing 22 kilograms (49 pounds) at nine months aged, is the heaviest penguin chick Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has ever had, its education manager said Jacinta Early he said on Friday.
Pesto’s global fame has grown along with its size. More than 1.9 billion people worldwide have viewed it via social media, the aquarium said in a statement.AP)
