Good Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers.

Pennsylvania Democrats and LGBTQ activists are teeing off on Republican gubernatorial hopeful Paul Mango for giving an interview to a Christian leader who believes that children are "indoctrinated into the homosexual agenda."

Earlier this month, Democrats began circulating video of Mango's 37-minute interview with Hyung Jin Moon, the leader of an organization called The Sanctuary Church, in Newfoundland, Pa., can be clearly seen with an assault rifle mounted on the desk in front of him.

At one point, Moon told Mango, that "there's so many, I think, people of faith that have strong Christian values that don't want to send their kids to school because they're scared of the indoctrination factor."

He continued:

"They're not only going to learn the actual required course load, they're getting indoctrinated into the homosexual political agenda, they're getting indoctrinated in the transgender agenda saying that their emotions, that they can choose how they feel based on how they feel their gender which is totally against the bible, it's totally against biology, I mean my goodness."

Without entirely disagreeing (PoliticsPA notes), Mango tried to steer the conversation to property tax and other issues, saying, "Yeah and let me just mention two other things. In addition to all that we're having ten thousand Pennsylvanians a year evicted from their homes because of out of control property taxes."

State Democrats pounced on interview as evidence that Mango, the most socially conservative of the four 2018 GOP gubernatorial hopefuls is "moving as far to the right as possible."

"Paul Mango's homophobic and racist interview and his subsequent lies about it are proof that he is not fit for public office," Beth Melena, a spokeswoman for Pennsylvania Democrats said.

The Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for LGTQ rights, also joined in the criticism. The advocacy group had previously criticized Mango for his opposition to legislation that would let transgender youth use the bathroom of their choice.

"Paul Mango would do well to remember there are 360,000 LGBTQ voters -- and millions more allies across the state of Pennsylvania -- who won't stand for these kinds of attacks on our community and our health care," JoDee Winterhof, the Human Rights Campaign's Senior Vice President for Policy and Political Affairs, said in a statement.

Mango's spokesman, Matt Beynon, told the Tribune-Review that his boss doesn't agree with Moon's beliefs.

"Paul does not agree that schools are indoctrinating our kids. However, Paul does believe that our culture has eroded and has become more and more intolerant of traditional family values," Beynon told the newspaper, adding that "It is a huge problem when people of faith are attacked for holding to their religious principles."

The rest of the day's news starts now.

You might have heard by now that Philly machine Dem, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, isn't seeking re-election. That could be good news for U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-13th, whose district could expand with Brady's exit, City & State Pa. reports. In addition, Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Philly, might be jumping into the increasingly crowded primary field.

Pennsylvania's Republican GOP guv hopefuls are dumping serious coin into their respective races. The Associated Press runs down the latest fund-raising haul.

There's a new Democratic candidate in the race for U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster's 9th Congressional District seat, The Post-Gazette reports.

PhillyMag has what we presume to be a tongue-in-cheek look at the commonalities between Bradys Tom and Bob.

BillyPenn runs down the 5 biggest misconceptions about Philly's safe injection sites.

Here's a just lovely #Harrisburg Instagram of the Day:

Because of course, the Philly phaithful are getting Iggles tatoos, WHYY-FM reports.

Senate Prez Pro Temp Joe Scarnati has 'pledged to ignore' the court order in the redistricting case, WITF-FM reports.

A developer hired an adviser to gain access to Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, The Morning Call reports as the embattled Lehigh Valley pol's corruption trial rolls along.

Politico looks at Veep Mike Pence's 'plan' to rescue the GOP majority in 2018.

Here's Roll Call on President Trump's next big audience: Capitol Hill Republicans.

What Goes On.

The House Democratic Policy Commitee road trips it to Philly for a 10.m. public hearing on landlord-tenant issues.

What Goes On (Nakedly Political Edition).

Allegheny County Exec Rich Fitzgerald holds a 5:30 p.m. reception at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh. Admission runs from a mere $1,000 all the way up to a truly ridiculous $10,000 - dependent, as ever, on the intensity of your desire to bask in his reflected glow.

WolfWatch

Gov. Tom Wolf journeys to Pittsburgh today for a 2 p.m. discussion at Point Park University on redistricting issues.

You Say It's Your Birthday Dept.

Best wishes go out this morning to longtime Friend O'the Blog, Morning Call reporter, who celebrates today. Congrats and enjoy the day.

Heavy Rotation.

Here's one from

Elbow

that we've been playing over and over of late.

Thursday's Gratuitous Hockey Link.

Toronto blanked the visiting New York Islanders 5-0 on Wednesday night.

And now you're up to date.