PennLive archives

Don't Edit

By Charles Thompson | cthompson@pennlive.com

Don't Edit

Governor

Don't Edit

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, top, is seeking reelection. Vying for the GOP nomination to challenge him are, from left, Laura Ellsworth, Paul Mango, Mike Turzai and Scott Wagner.

Don't Edit

Gov. Tom Wolf is seeking a second term, and four Republicans - Laura Ellsworth, Paul Mango, Mike Turzai and Scott Wagner - are gunning for him in what is expected to be a highly contested primary.

The stakes? Nothing less than whether Pennsylvania, with unassailable Republican majorities in the state legislature - goes all in on this conservative moment, or whether the state reclaims it's purple policy shades for another four years.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

The size of the state House

Don't Edit

It's not officially on the ballot yet, but it's quite possible Pennsylvania voters will be asked this fall to determine whether they want to shrink the size of the state House of Representatives from 203 to 151 seats.

In this age of frustration, it might have a lot of gut-level appeal, but there's much to be learned about the possible effects on representation of Pennsylvania's rural communities, minorities, and other groups.

This debate gets teed up if the House and Senate pass the triggering resolution this spring.

Don't Edit

Moving on from Meehan

Don't Edit

Meehan used taxpayer money to settle a complaint that stemmed from his hostility toward a former aide who rejected his romantic overtures. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Don't Edit

U.S. Rep. Patrick Meehan is giving up his 7th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives after being outed in The New York Times last week for settling a workplace harassment claim with a former female staffer.

This unexpected open seat in the Philadelphia suburbs will quickly become the hottest House race in the state as the Democrats seek to make gains nationally.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Challenging Mike Stack

Don't Edit

Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

It seems like a cast of thousands is preparing to unseat Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, who apparently means next to nothing to Wolf as a governmental partner.

The office works that way because of quirks in the state Constitution that provide for candidates to be nominated separately from the governor.

Wanted or not, this Democratic primary will be interesting. Stack, because of his Philadelphia base, has got a chance to stay in the general election picture because of too much fragmentation of the opposition.

Don't Edit

Filling the 15th

Don't Edit

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Don't Edit

Until Meehan's political implosion, the race for the Lehigh Valley-anchored 15th Congressional District had looked to be another hot one, if only because it was the most-swingy of the anticipated open House seats in Pennsylvania.

Incumbent Rep. Charlie Dent is leaving Congress after seven terms, and so far, four Republicans and five Democrats have said they plan to enter the race to replace him.

Political pundits see the 15th as "center-right," but generally agree that it could swing to the Democrats if the candidate and conditions are right.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

More Casey?

Don't Edit

File photos

Don't Edit

Did you know that Pennsylvania has had a member of the Casey family in some statewide elected office continuously - with the exception of 1995-96 - for the last 32 years?

That's not quite in the league of the Kennedy's and Massachusetts, but it's pretty impressive nonetheless.

U.S. Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr., above right, has no intention of closing the family shop now. He's seeking re-election to a third term in office this year, and if Republican front-runner U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, above left, holds serve in the Republican primary, it could get interesting.

Many experts see the race shaping up as a referendum on President Trump, since Barletta was an early Trump supporter, and Casey has been a persistent Trump critic in the Senate. But there would be lots of issue choices there, too.

Don't Edit

Those swinging 'Philly suburbs

Don't Edit

File photo

While we're on the subject of Congress, there are several other House incumbents that are also may see big re-election fights in this Trump pushback year for Democrats.

The two that most observers have on their watch list, solely because of the competitive nature of their suburban Philadelphia districts, are the 6th and 8th District seats currently held by Ryan Costello and Brian Fitzpatrick, respectively.

These folks, let's call them King of Prussia mall shoppers, are in play if for no other reason than the virtual ties they posted in the presidential vote in 2016. Voters in the 6th went for Clinton over Trump, 48.2 percent to 47.6 percent. Voters in the 8th picked Trump, 48.2 percent to 48.0 percent.

What happens if there are candidates they like?

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

First up

Don't Edit

File photos

Don't Edit

This is like when you watch a Thursday night football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans because.... it's the only football game on TV.

But we'll give some props to the special election for the 18th Congressional District in southwestern Pennsylvania if only because it is the first actual test of voter attitudes in the state this year.

The race pits Republican state Rep. Rick Saccone, one of the most conservative members of the Pennsylvania House, against Democrat Connor Lamb, an assistant U.S. attorney making his first run for elective office.

The incumbent, former U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, resigned in October after public revelations of a messy, extra-marital affair.

A Democrat win in a district that Donald Trump carried by nearly 20 points in 2016 would be an upset, but strategists will still watch be watch carefully to see how various campaign themes were received and to what extent the Trump voter base is still energized.

And, of course, because it's the only game in town that day.

Don't Edit

A giant asterisk

Don't Edit

The review is based on the state's Congressional map as it exists. A Pennsylvania Supreme Court order calling for a new map for the 2018 elections is currently pending in before the U.S. Supreme Court.

If the high court refuses to intervene, it's back to Square One for all of the Congressional races for candidates and voters alike.

We'll keep you posted.

Don't Edit