News & Brews June 20, 2022
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How PA candidates are messaging on the economy
With President Biden’s job approval cataclysmically low, the potential wipeout for Democrats come November could be “somewhere between horrific and biblical,”notes Charlie Cook, founder of the Cook Political Report. But, he adds, “there are technical factors that may keep it down to just an ugly one for Democrats.” As inflation is high on voters minds, the Post-Gazette looks at how candidates for U.S. Senate and governor are hoping to win voters’ support. (And before Republicans get too excited, The Hill lists PA’s U.S. Senate seat as one of seven seats most likely to flip this year.)
Fetterman & Shapiro: Opposing styles, united front?
The AP notes that Democrats John Fetterman and Josh Shapiro “strike dramatically different profiles” … “in both style and substance.” And “at times,” the two have “had a strained relationship over conflicting stances on the state pardons board.” But with November approaching, they are aiming to present a united front as they work with state and national Democrats in hopes of flipping PA’s senate seat blue and retaining the governor’s office. Read more here.
Mastriano avoids mainstream media; will his strategy work?
The LNP examines Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano’s strategy of avoiding most mainstream media outlets and relying instead on conservative news outlets and social media to get his message out. Could his approach work in an election year that already favors Republicans? Read the story here.
Dems pick Street as new state party chair; Shapiro’s choice loses
On Saturday, by a vote of 174-138, PA Democrat state party members selected Sen. Sharif Street as the new party chair. Street, of Philadelphia, defeated Gerald “Jerry” Lawrence, who currently serves as chair of the Democrat Party’s southeast caucus. The race was heated, with Lawrence garnering support from Attorney General and Democrat gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro, Gov. Wolf, and Sen. Casey. The Inquirer has more.
Royalty payments & drilling increase in Marcellus Shale region
PennLive reports, “Statewide, the [natural gas] industry will pay county and municipal governments affected by drilling $123,217,163 in impact fees for the 2021 reporting year, according to the Public Utility Commission. With this year’s distribution, communities will have received over $2.2 billion.” The increased payments and drilling activity stem from higher prices. Even with more drilling, however, the lack of pipelines restricts PA from meeting demands in New England and elsewhere.