News & Brews April 22, 2025
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Some Pa. swing voters not sold on Shapiro
A recent focus group of 13 Biden-to-Trump Pa. voters conducted by Engagious/Sago suggests that Gov. Josh Shapiro “may have a perception problem among some Pennsylvania swing voters,” Axios reports. “Most comments about Shapiro in the recent focus groups were critical, with only two of the …. voters who participated supporting a potential Shapiro presidential run in 2028.” What’s more “some of the swing voters expressed inaccurate views about Shapiro’s policy stances and the positions he’s held in state government.”
Pa. GOP chair wants Krasner investigated
Pa. GOP Chair Greg Rothman has asked U.S. Attorney David Metcalf to investigate Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner over comments he made that Trump and Republicans are “fundamentally fascists … who need to be punched in the face as hard as possible.” Rothman wrote that Krasner’s statement “will be viewed as a ‘Call to Action’ … and direct violence and other harmful actions toward both President Trump and Republicans writ large.”
Made in the USA? Yes. Made in Pittsburgh? TBD
The Post-Gazette reports that “as the nation sees a renewed push for Made in America products and supply chains,” the question that remains is “whether the new manufacturing future will be built in Pennsylvania.” According to Don Smith, president of the Regional Industrial Development Corporation, “[I]t really comes down to human capital,” as “[n]atural resources don’t play quite as much of a role in the new economy.” And while some may say the answer is more tax breaks for companies, David Taylor, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, cautions that such breaks aren’t the ultimate solution. “If you don’t have strong economic fundamentals, then it doesn’t matter what kind of incentives or sweeteners you have, it can’t make up the difference in profitability versus someplace else.”
Crozer Health is closing
The Delaware Valley Journal reports that after months of negotiations to prevent this very thing, “Crozer Health, the largest health system in Delaware County, is shutting down.” A spokesperson for Pa. Attorney General Dave Sunday said, “Along with the Governor’s Office and other state and local leaders, we worked tirelessly to avoid this outcome.” The DVJ notes, “The Attorney General’s Office solely blamed [Crozer parent company] Prospect’s owners, Leonard Green & Partners, for the closure. The private equity firm was accused of prioritizing ‘their own wealth over the well-being of a community.’”
Here’s who’s running for Harrisburg mayor
As the May 20 primary election approaches, there’s a crowded Democrat field in the race for Harrisburg mayor. In addition to incumbent Mayor Wanda Williams, who is running for re-election, four other candidates are also vying for the role. All told, ABC27 reports, the field “includes three current city officials and two community activists. There is no candidate running in the Republican primary, meaning the winner of this race will likely be sworn in as Harrisburg’s Mayor in January 2026.”