Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, November 14, 2022

November 14, 2022

Pennsylvania

How Lehigh Valley, National Political Trends Factored Into Democratic Victories

With higher voter turnout than the state average, the Lehigh Valley ended up being key to local and statewide Democratic victories. Meanwhile, the perceived extreme right-wing views of many Republican candidates, as well as voter sentiments surrounding the right to abortion in the wake of the Supreme Court’s widely unpopular Dobbs decision last summer, also helped propel Pennsylvania Democrats to midterm victories. The Morning Call has more.

Mastriano Officially Conceded Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Race

Four days after Democrat Josh Shapiro was declared the winner of the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race, his Republican opponent, state Senator Doug Mastriano, finally posted his concession on Twitter Sunday evening. Mastriano vocally denied the results of the 2020 election, worrying some about his likelihood of conceding. Spotlight PA has more.

Win or Lose, House Democrats Have Already Achieved a Great Deal

With only two more races left that remain too close to call in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, Pennsylvania House Democrats are within striking distance of winning the majority for the first time in more than a decade. However, regardless of which party’s candidates prove victorious in the final stretch, Democrats’ accomplishments are undeniably significant. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Some State Republicans Change Their Tune on Mail-in Voting, While Others Seek Changes to Party Leadership

After disappointing results on both the state and national level during last week’s midterm elections, many state Republicans are searching for a new path forward for their party. Some — including Allegheny County GOP Chairman Sam DeMarco and 17th Congressional District candidate Jeremy Shaffer — are expressing openness to mail-in voting, believing that the party should be embracing rather than fighting the policy, given the advantage it appears to have given Democrats in recent elections. Others believe party leadership itself is in need of a change — including former adviser to President Trump Ted Christian and Pennsylvania GOP national committeeman Andy Reilly, who are both reportedly eyeing Pennsylvania Republican Chair Lawrence Tabas’ position.

 

Philadelphia

Business Owner Jeff Brown Expected to Enter 2023 Mayoral Race

Jeff Brown, the owner of several Philadelphia Shoprite and Fresh Grocer stores, is expected to announce his 2023 mayoral run this week. He will be the fifth candidate overall and the first “outsider” to enter the race. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Del Rio, Texas, to Send 50 Migrants to Philadelphia Via Bus

A bus with approximately 50 migrants is expected to arrive in Philadelphia from the border town of Del Rio, Texas, sometime this week, according to the Mayor’s Office. Texas reportedly did not contact anyone from the City of Philadelphia before making this arrangement. PennLive has more.

Prospective First-Time Home Buyers Impacted by High Mortgage Rates, Housing Costs

While the city’s housing market is expected to continue cooling as the pandemic wanes, a combination of high mortgage rates and home values is hampering many Philadelphians’ aspirations of becoming first-time homeowners. WHYY has more.

Limerick Residents Vote Against Ballot Question to Increase Earned Income Tax to Develop More Open Space

According to unofficial election results in Montgomery County, Limerick Township voters opted not to increase their earned income tax in order to pay to create more recreational areas, park land, and trails and acquire existing open space and historic land. WHYY has more.

 

Pittsburgh

What Summer Lee’s Historic Win Means to Pennsylvanians

Last week, Summer Lee made history by becoming Pennsylvania’s first ever Black congresswoman, overcoming long odds in the process. According to some experts and organizers, her win demonstrates how representation can trump traditional notions of electability. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more.

Democrat Wins 32nd District Despite Having Passed Away Last Month, Spurring Online Conspiracy Theories

State Representative Tony DeLuca, who passed away last month after a brief battle with cancer, won re-election during last week’s midterm elections, as the deadline to remove his name from the ballot had already passed at the time of his death. While the vacant seat will need to be filled by a special election at a yet-to-be-determined date, the late Democrat’s win has spurred online conspiracy theories about voter fraud. PennLive has more.

Pittsburgh Morning Edition Host Maria Gabriel Scapellato Retires

Maria Gabriel Scapellato signed off for the last time on Friday after five years of hosting Morning Edition on 90.5 WESA. Her retirement was announced earlier this year.

University of Pittsburgh Unveils Plans for New Athletic Center

The University of Pittsburgh has unveiled its plans for Victory Heights, a new $240 million, 3,000-seat athletic center in Oakland that was approved by its Property and Facilities Committee last Thursday. Construction is set to begin next year. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

Former Westmoreland County Chief of Staff Sues Former Boss, House Republican Caucus Members for Wrongful Termination

Marcel Nicole Ingram, former chief of staff to Westmoreland County Representative Eric Davanzo, is suing her former boss and members of the House Republican Caucus for wrongful termination. Ingram believes she was let go for reporting mold in the district office. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

 

Federal

Congress Is Getting Back to Work This Week; Here’s What to Expect

Congress is heading back to Capitol Hill for the first time since the hectic midterm elections, where they will be considering same-sex marriage legislation, a defense bill, and potential changes to the presidential electoral vote-counting process, among other things. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

Beltway Briefing: Takeaways From the 2022 Midterms Elections (So Far)

The 2022 election remains in the balance, as the battle for the House continues with Republicans favored to win what increasingly looks like a narrow majority in the House and Democrats retaining their Senate majority. As the votes continue to be counted, Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Patrick Martin, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin break down the results of key midterm races and offer some early election takeaways.

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

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