News & Brews October 12, 2026
Get News & Brews in your inbox each day: Subscribe here!
The ‘unknown donors’ funding the New Left
The Wall Street Journal has an eye-opening story on how the far-left, anti-Israel wing of the Democrat party is expanding its fundraising to donors who previously rarely or never gave to political causes but now are pouring in big dollars. “In past elections big donors to progressives were generally older, wealthy hippies or successful Hollywood players,” the Journal notes. “The emerging group skews younger, is often composed of Americans of South Asian or Middle Eastern heritage, and works in fields such as technology and medicine.”
This money is going to races across the country, including in Pennsylvania. “In Philadelphia, nearly a million dollars in TV advertising paid for by outside groups is boosting Democratic socialist Chris Rabb, highlighting his endorsement from New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and his willingness to fight for Medicare for All.” And in the 7th congressional district in the Lehigh Valley, this New Left is backing Bob Brooks in his attempt to unseat GOP Congressman Ryan Mackenzie.
Shapiro’s ‘go-it-alone’ measles response
Both Pennsylvania and New York have Democrat governors, but POLITICO reports that amid the current measles outbreak, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has been willing to call on the federal government for help, “while Pennsylvania’s Gov. Josh Shapiro attempted to go it alone for months without federal assistance.”Shapiro’s refusal to ask for help coincided with his very public political battle with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. over how measles data was being reported. Shapiro’s reticence to ask for help is notable, however, given that Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has been “the largest the country has seen in decades.”
Dems ‘smell blood in the water’ in Fitzpatrick race
POLITICO reports that Republican Congressman “Brian Fitzpatrick sailed to reelection in Pennsylvania’s 1st District two years ago. But now, with just over three weeks to go until Election Day and public opinion continuing to sour on Donald Trump’s presidency, Democrats smell blood in the water.” It’s why Democrat House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries campaigned with Fitzpatrick’s opponent over the weekend. And it’s why Democrats are spending somewhere around $7 million (at least) in the race. But Republicans insist Fitzpatrick is a “a political ‘unicorn’” who “has been able to establish a brand that is separate and independent from the president.”
Shapiro uses massive handouts to attract businesses
As Gov. Shapiro has bragged that Pennsylvania is ‘open for business,’ that slogan has come with a hefty price tag. The Inquirer reports that since Shapiro took office in 2023, his administration “has spent $121.8 million per year on average to attract, retain, and grow businesses through incentives to employers…. That is more than double the $51.6 million the state invested annually on such deals from 2018 through 2022 under Gov. Tom Wolf.” All told, Shapiro “has spent nearly $457 million in direct state assistance.”
The top recipient has been global pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, at $100 million. Also on the list are Chobani ($50M), Burlington Stores ($30M), and Johnson & Johnson ($27.5M). But all this “carries some political risks,” as “any perceived coziness with big corporations could haunt Shapiro” when he vies for a Democrat presidential primary nomination.
Hochul opts into school choice program
On Friday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul became the second Democrat governor to opt into the new federal school choice tax credit scholarship program, “despite teachers union opposition.” Hochul had previously indicated her intent to opt in but made it official last week. “After a careful review of the federal regulations, we believe this program has the potential to bring millions of additional dollars to New York students and families without taking a single dollar from public schools or our state or local budgets,” Hochul said. “I’m not going to leave money on the table when it could help our kids.”
Hochul’s announcement puts added focus on Gov. Shapiro, who somehow is still claiming he hasn’t made up his mind. Of course, based on his previous actions, Shapiro is no fan of school choice. But even if he’s truly still trying to decide, it’s somewhat concerning that the governor of the biggest swing state has this much trouble making a simple decision.
