News & Brews July 6, 2022

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Shapiro to announced some GOP endorsements today

The Post-Gazette reports that “a group of Republican leaders … is bucking their party to endorse Democrat Josh Shapiro for governor.… The list includes two former U.S. representatives, Charlie Dent and Jim Greenwood; former state House Speaker Denny O’Brien; former Lt. Gov. and longtime state Sen. Robert Jubelirer; and former state Supreme Court Justice Sandra Schultz Newman.” Shapiro is expected to announce the endorsements today, while at least one political analyst expects Republican Doug Mastriano to respond by saying these Republicans are “RINOs” (Republicans In Name Only) who don’t represent the core of the conservative movement. PennLive also has a story on the endorsements.

Budget action coming … maybe, maybe not

Rank-and-file House and Senate lawmakers are expected back in Harrisburg today, as budget negotiations among legislative leaders and Gov. Wolf continue. It seems tomorrow may be a day for “a lot of budget action,” according to one spokesperson. But, then again, that may change. The AP has more.

Profile: Democrat Lt. Gov. Candidate Rep. Austin Davis

PennLive profiles Democrat lieutenant governor candidate state Rep. Austin Davis, who was spurred to get involved in government by gun violence in his neighborhood when he was a teenager. “If I wanted to see a change in my community, I couldn’t wait for somebody else to do it, so I decided to roll up my sleeves and get involved,” Davis says. If elected, he and Democrat Josh Shapiro say they’ll look to have the lieutenant governor play a more prominent role in state leadership.

As former union leader faces trials, his attorneys claim his constitutional rights were violated

An FBI informant recorded former Philadelphia union leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty threatening union members who may betray him with death and telling them to kill themselves, but his attorneys argue the recordings violate Dougherty’s constitutional right to a fair trial. The Inquirer has more (paywall). Once considered the most powerful unelected politician in Pennsylvania, Dougherty has doled out tens of millions of dollars in union campaign contributions over the years, mostly but not exclusively to Democrats.

Some call for Kenney’s resignation following July 4 comments

Speaking to reporters after two Philadelphia police officers were shot at July 4 festivities, Philly Mayor Jim Kenney said, “I’m waiting for something bad to happen all the time, so I’ll be happy when I’m not here, when I’m not mayor and can enjoy some stuff.” His comment has drawn fierce criticism, and at least two city council members have called on him to resign. Read more at City & State PA.

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