Fetterman Turns to GOP Donors For Cash. This is the PoliticsPA Playbook.
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What’s Happening Today. Both the PA House and Senate convene at 11 AM.
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Top Story
“Senator John Fetterman, the Pennsylvania Democrat who has spent much of the past two years antagonizing his own party, is now turning to Republicans for campaign cash.
The former progressive backed by Bernie Sanders has increasingly built his political identity around opposition to the left, unwavering support for Israel, and a willingness to embrace conservative voters. His campaign is now reaching into the fundraising infrastructure of the party he insists he has no intention of joining, as his support among Democrats has eroded and his fundraising has sharply declined.” | TIME
Elsewhere
John Fetterman’s Right-Wing Fundraising Deals. “A Republican fundraising consultant alerted her colleagues this month in a private message about a hot new business opportunity from an unlikely source: Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a Democrat.” | The Atlantic
Brian Fitzpatrick’s Campaign Ads Feature Damning News Headlines. They’re Not From An Unbiased Source. “Facing his toughest election challenge in years, GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has blanketed southeast Pennsylvania with attacks on his Democratic opponent — many of them citing what appear to be independent local news reports. Each of the articles cited carry the byline of Dave Sommers, a Levittown, Pennsylvania, man with close ties to Fitzpatrick and a checkered history with law enforcement.” | Politico
PA-07: Where Mackenzie, Brooks Stand on Tax Policies, Affordability, and Jobs. “Ahead of the Nov. 3 election, Pennsylvania voters have identified the economy as a top issue, driven by concerns about the cost of living, unemployment, and utility prices.” | Spotlight PA
The House Republicans Facing Tough Reelections. “Things are really bad for Republicans right now. And, yes, we know, individual races can shift on a dime. But there are a number of GOP lawmakers across the country that both parties privately agree are in deep, deep trouble. This is according to the operatives, strategists and members who see internal campaign polling and know best.” | Punchbowl News
The 10 Most Vulnerable House Members Just Over A Month Before Election Day. “With less than five weeks to go until the midterm elections, Republicans face historical headwinds as the party in power and must also contend with high gas prices amid the ongoing Iran war.” | Roll Call
State
“A bill to allow independent and third-party voters to cast ballots in Pennsylvania primary elections passed Tuesday in the state House.
Despite the 115-88 vote, the legislation attracted opposition from both sides of the aisle from lawmakers who argued the primaries are the exclusive domain of the parties to nominate candidates for the general elections.
State Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia), who is the measure’s prime sponsor, said opening the commonwealth’s primaries would correct an injustice for 1.5 million unaffiliated voters that has existed since the state Election Code was made law in 1937.” | Penn Capital-Star
Elsewhere
PA Supreme Court to Decide If Life Sentences For Second-Degree Murder Are Retroactive. “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to decide whether its March ruling striking down automatic sentences of life without parole for second-degree murder applies to the people already serving them.” | PennLive
State Ruling Shields Shapiro’s Email With Family Financial Advisor, Echoing A Trump DOJ Theory Democrats Condemn. “In the earliest months of his administration, Gov. Josh Shapiro brought his family’s private financial advisor into an emailed legal exchange with his own general counsel. Three years later, Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records ruled that the public has no right to see the emails.” | Broad + Liberty
PA-10: A Q&A with Janelle Stelson. “Janelle Stelson is hoping that the second time will be the charm this November when she takes on U.S. Rep. Scott Perry in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District.” | City & State
Shapiro Endorses 4 State Senate Challengers Five Weeks Ahead of Election. “Five weeks before a general election that could decide control of the state Legislature for the next couple of years, Democrats announced that Gov. Josh Shapiro endorsed four challengers to state Senate incumbents in the hope his party can gain control of the chamber that now held by Republicans.” | The Center Square
Around The Commonwealth
“Carnegie Mellon University announced Wednesday that hedge fund CEO Ken Griffin is donating $3 billion, with the bulk of the money for a new campus in Miami focused on societal challenges.
The Pittsburgh-based private research university said the gift is the largest ever single gift to a U.S. university. Griffin’s gift includes $2 billion to build a new 35-acre campus in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, just north of downtown. The campus is expected to enroll around 3,500 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.” | AP
Elsewhere
Judge Tosses Lawsuit Against NCAA Over Transgender Athlete Policy. “A federal judge tossed a lawsuit led by former college swimmer Riley Gaines against the National Collegiate Athletic Association alleging the collegiate sports governing body violated her rights when it allowed transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports.” | Politico
State Rep Calls on Former Mayor Ed Gainey to Resign From Gaming Control Board Amid DA’s Investigation. “Russ Diamond, a Lebanon County Republican, stopped short of accusing Gainey of wrongdoing but said the probe could undermine confidence in the board.” | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Race to Represent the 130th Legislative District. “Democrat Erik Bonnett and Republican Melissa Brewer are vying to succeed retiring Rep. David Maloney.” | Reading Eagle
State Reps Ask PA Attorney General to Investigate the Philly Schools For Alleged Discrimination of Jewish Students. “A group of state representatives asked Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday to investigate whether a “systemic pattern of discrimination” against Jewish students occurs in the Philadelphia School District.” | Philadelphia Inquirer
Editorial
1 Thing
“As summer gives way to fall, the green leaves blanketing Penn’s Woods change into vibrant reds, oranges and yellows before they drop to the ground for the winter.
The process is scientific, not spontaneous. The colors are specific to species. And the diversity of Pennsylvania’s native trees makes the state one of the best places in the world to experience the splendor of autumn.
Like bears finding burrows to hunker down, the trees are preparing for colder days.” | WVIA
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