April 19, Playbook: What To Expect

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Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Rep. Tina Davis (Sun.)

Today’s Springsteen Lyrics. “Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief; Doctor, lawyer, Indian chief; One thing in common they all got; Everybody wants to be the man at the top” – Man At The Top

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Top Story

1. What to Expect In Pennsylvania’s Presidential and State Primaries

“President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will go before voters Tuesday in Pennsylvania’s presidential primaries, a prelude to the November general election, when the commonwealth is expected to once again play a critical role in the race for the White House. Further down the ballot, voters will also select nominees in competitive primaries for Congress, the state legislature and three statewide offices.

As of April 15, there were more than 8.7 million registered voters in Pennsylvania, about 45% Democrats and 40% Republicans.

As of Thursday, a total of 413,952 ballots had been cast before Election Day, about 73% from Democrats and about 26% from Republicans.” (AP)

Related

In Bucks County, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick Faces Right-Wing Primary Challenger Mark Houck. “Fitzpatrick, a self-described moderate, has successfully fended off GOP primary opponents before. Challenger Mark Houck is looking to do what others couldn’t.” (WHYY)

The Kennedy Family Endorsed President Biden, Not RFK Jr., in North Philly as He Wrapped PA Tour. “It was a prominent showing of support from the relatives of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist, who is mounting an independent bid that could potentially pull voters from the Democratic president.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Biden Administration to Roll Back the Betsy DeVos Title IX Rules. “The U.S. Department of Education on Friday announced a final rule that will update Title IX regulations governing how schools respond to sexual misconduct, undoing changes made under the Trump administration and former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.” (Penn Capital-Star)

They All Want To Beat Scott Perry, But Then What? Democratic Candidates Give Their Take On The Issues. “Midstate Democrats are fantasizing about the chance to unseat U.S. Rep. Scott Perry this fall. But first they have to find a candidate who can do it.” (PennLive)

Congress is Moving Fast to Force TikTok’s Sale. PA’s Jeff Yass Has An Estimated $34 Billion at Stake. “The federal government’s push to crack down on China-based TikTok has brought renewed attention to Jeff Yass, the richest man in Pennsylvania, the largest donor in the 2024 election to date and an influential early investor in the viral video app.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

State

2. Vast Majority Of PA Legislative Races Will Effectively Be Decided During Primary

“Millions of voters across the political spectrum will have little choice this year in who represents them in the state House and Senate, thanks to a lack of competitive state legislative districts coupled with Pennsylvania’s closed primary system.

That combination leaves ultimate control of the legislature and its policy agenda in the hands of a small minority of the population.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

Shapiro Announces Standardized Tests in K-12 Schools To Move Online By 2026. “Pennsylvania students will soon take standardized tests online rather than with a paper and pencil, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Thursday. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity Campaigned With Trump This Month. Two Democrats Are Vying To Take Her On In The Fall. “State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro will take on small-business owner Erin McClelland in next week’s Democratic primary for Pennsylvania treasurer.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Pennsylvania House Dems Propose New Expulsion Rules After Remote Voting By Lawmaker Facing A Warrant. “Democratic floor leader Rep. Matt Bradford proposed the rule change after Dem. Rep. Kevin Boyle voted remotely while being sought on charges he violated a restraining order.” (AP)

PA House Advances Bevy of Bills Ahead of Election Recess. “Members of the Pennsylvania House passed 16 different bills during their three-day voting session this week, ranging from campaign finance reform to green energy development plans in Lake Erie to allowing motorcyclists to wear headphones while riding.” (CNHI News)

PA Senate Primary Previews (PoliticsPA)
Allegheny County | Berks, Dauphin Counties | Erie 

420 And Beyond — What’s The Deal With Weed In PA? “The coming 420 holiday is yet another reminder: Pennsylvania is super behind when it comes to legalizing recreational marijuana.” (Philadelphia Citizen)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Missing Voting Machine Documents Raise Concern About PA County’s Testing Processes

“When Northampton County voters cast their ballots in an election last November, it became clear to them very quickly that something was wrong.

The mixup — the result of an error in programming voting machines — didn’t result in any votes being counted incorrectly, because the machines don’t rely on the text of that printed record to tabulate results. Nonetheless, it was the kind of error that should have been caught and demonstrates the importance of putting voting machines through robust pre-election testing. And in Northampton County’s case, it was part of a larger pattern of testing flaws that went beyond an undetected programming error.

A Votebeat and Spotlight PA investigation into the county’s preparation for last November’s election found that its testing documentation was incomplete, inconsistent, and in more than 150 cases missing entirely, making it difficult to prove that it tested its machines correctly.” (Votebeat)

Related

In State 139th House District Race, Voters Can Vote Twice For The Same Candidate. “For the second time in three years, some voters in Wayne and Pike counties will elect someone new to represent them in Harrisburg.” (WVIA)

Pittsburgh-Area Voters Focused On Economy, Reproductive Rights, Latest WESA/Campos Survey Shows. “The genius of the American political system is that thanks to its endless campaign cycle, by the time we vote, we’re often sick of the candidates. It’s arguably a good way to prepare yourself for the possibility of disappointment after the winner is sworn in.” (WESA Politics)

Rep. Abigail Salisbury Challenged By Progressive Democrat Ashley Comans in 34th House District. “Five state representatives are being challenged by members of their party in next Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primary.” (CBS News Pittsburgh)

Philly DA Larry Krasner is Running For a Third Term, Sources Say. “Sources told Clout that Krasner is planning to run for a third term, and we hear he’s already told some of his staff as much.” (Philadelphia Inquirer Clout)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Time For Pennsylvania To Open Its Primaries To All. (Natalie Bencivenga)
• The Kennedys Rally to Prevent RFK Jr. From Extinguishing Their Torch. (Karen Tumulty)
• The Best Way to Regulate Social Media Has Been Staring Us Right in the Face. (Steven Brill)
• Retail Marijuana Would Hurt PA, Especially Our Young People. (Cheryl Allen)

1 Late Night Thing

5. Taylor’s 2 AM Surprise

“Taylor Swift’s new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” dropped at midnight ET with listening parties and themed gatherings. Then Swift surprised fans at 2 a.m. ET with news of 15 extra songs. (NBC)

Why it matters: It’s a new era for the already ubiquitous popstar, whose record-breaking tour returns to the U.S. in October.

“Tortured Poets” is Swift’s fifth! — yes, fifth — album in five years. Altogether, the double album contained over two hours of music.”

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