News & Brews November 22, 2021

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Turzai reportedly running for governor

The LNP reported that according to sources, former House Speaker Mike Turzai is running for governor next year. Turzai has a record of championing school choice, advocating for liquor privatization, and pushing back against Gov. Wolf’s tax hike attempts. The LNP notes that like Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (who also announced for governor recently), “Turzai is a proven fundraiser.”

Senate GOP picks vendor for election review

The Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee has selected Iowa-based Envoy Sage to conduct a review of the 2020 election results. Envoy Sage reportedly “has no political association with candidates who appeared on the 2020 or 2021 ballots in Pennsylvania.” The review has caused lots of fighting in Harrisburg (and beyond), to say the least.

Johnny Doc’s conviction: Anti-corruption or anti-union?

It may sound surprising, but some folks in Philly are still hesitant to speak out against the criminal activity of former labor leader John “Johny Doc” Dougherty, who was convicted last week on federal charges of conspiracy. The Inquirer has more, noting, “The convictions put local progressives in a difficult position: Condemning the union could give legitimacy to a perceived attack on labor; defending it risks appearing comfortable with corruption.”

Tracking Josh Shapiro’s campaign

City & State PA tracked Democrat Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s October campaign bus tour, when he visited 18 counties (while somehow wanting us to believe he’s still able to focus adequately on his job as attorney general). Shapiro is campaigning on his “strong record of taking on big fights.” And I mean, hey, he has fought pretty hard to weaponize his office against Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry. Still, some political operatives say that even though Shapiro’s in a favorable position, given the national political climate, he’ll face a headwind next year, despite his $10 million in the bank and no Democrat opponent.

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