✔️  The Midway Mark. Good morning Wednesday.

????️  In Today’s Playbook. Pennsylvania’s High-Stakes Retention Election. Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder and Arson in Governor’s Residence Firebombing. PA’s Public Schools Implore Lawmakers to End Budget Impasse. The Great Soda Remix

????  Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. Bad Moon Rising. Creedence Clearwater Revival

PA Weather
????️  New Castle | Decreasing Clouds, 66
☀️  Waynesboro | Mostly Sunny, 68
????️  Wilkes-Barre | Becoming Sunny, 62

PA Sports
????  Flyers (1-1-1) | Thu vs. Winnipeg
????  Penguins (2-2) | Anaheim 3-4 | Thu at Los Angeles

????  What We’re Hearing. “This isn’t the big, sexy presidential election,” Laura Pannell said. “You’re not going to hear campaign ads everywhere and to be inundated with that. But this is an important one because this is where your local tax dollars are going. And it affects your everyday life.”

????  The PoliticsPA Playbook is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.

Top Story

1.   Pennsylvania’s High-Stakes Retention Election

“All eyes will be on the governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia next month, with both seen as traditional bellwethers for the 2026 midterm elections. But in recent weeks, another November election has become a priority for both parties, and it could have major implications for 2028 and beyond.

Three Democratic members of Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court will be on the ballot in an off-year retention election that has drawn more than $8 million in ad spending and attracted the attention of high-profile Democrats across the country.

The parties view the race as key to the redistricting fight after the 2030 census, and both are preparing for potential election lawsuits in the critical swing state that could be settled by the court.” (POLITICO)

Elsewhere

National Parties Are Investing in These ‘Sleepy’ Pennsylvania Retention Elections. “Voters in Pennsylvania could shift the balance of the state’s Supreme Court in a set of three retention elections this November, which have attracted national attention and millions in spending. “This is one of the most important races in the country that nobody’s talking about,” Malcolm Kenyatta, a vice chair at the Democratic National Committee, told NOTUS.” (NOTUS)

How Often Do PA Members of Congress Align With Trump Policies? Trump Score Vote Report Has Answers. “Two central Pennsylvania congressional Republicans have earned the distinction of consistently voting in support of policies endorsed by President Donald Trump.” (PennLive)

Sen. McCormick Calls For Pennsylvania to Join School Choice Program. “U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick joined school choice advocates in Pittsburgh on Tuesday to urge Pennsylvania to opt into a federal program aiming to provide financial assistance for eligible students.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

What to Know About Oct. 18 “No Kings” Protests. “No Kings protest organizers expect millions to gather across the nation on Saturday, Oct. 18 in an event Republican lawmakers decry as a “a hate America rally.”” (Axios)

State

2. Harrisburg Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder and Arson in Governor’s Residence Firebombing

“Cody Balmer, the Harrisburg man accused of firebombing the Governor’s Residence in April as Gov. Josh Shapiro, his family and guests slept inside, pleaded guilty to attempted murder with a sentencing enhancement for terrorism on Tuesday.

Balmer, 38, will serve a total sentence of 25 to 50 years. He’ll be eligible for parole in 2050 when he is 63 years old. Balmer said he had planned to kill Shapiro with a hammer he carried as he broke into the residence.

All 22 people who were in the residence, including Shapiro, his family, and guests celebrating the Passover holiday, were evacuated safely. All were asleep save two state troopers who were on guard.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Elsewhere

Shapiro Says His Family Is Still Grappling With Aftermath of Arson, Supports Plea Deal. “Gov. Josh Shapiro said Tuesday that security videos of an arsonist’s attempt to kill his family “have been haunting me for months,” and left him carrying “an enormous sense of guilt” in trying to explain the incident to his children.” (PennLive)

How the 3 Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices on the Ballot Have Ruled In Major Cases. “A look at how Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justices Kevin Dougherty, Christine Donohue, and David Wecht have ruled in some of the major cases of their tenure on the state’s highest court.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Five Years After Trying to Aid Trump, Pennsylvania’s Fulton County Faces Steep Penalty. “The case offers a lesson for local officials who are fielding requests for third-party access to their voting machines.” (Votebeat Pennsylvania)

Around The Commonwealth

3.  Missing $3 Billion in State Payments, PA’s Public Schools Implore Lawmakers to End Budget Impasse

“Public schools across Pennsylvania have missed more than $3 billion in payments from the state, requiring the state’s 500 school districts to take out billions in loans, spend their reserves, or lay off staff as the state budget impasse stretches into its fourth month.

A coalition of eight statewide school organizations held a news conference on Tuesday urging lawmakers in the state General Assembly to reach a compromise budget as soon as possible, and raised the alarm that most school districts cannot wait any longer.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

Financial Pain For Many PA Service Providers Will Continue After Budget Impasse Ends. “Pennsylvania has made $40 million on frozen cash during the budget impasse. But it won’t pass on interest to service providers once that funding is released.” (Spotlight PA)

A Leaked, Secret Survey Reveals What Philly Attorneys Think About Judges Up For Election. “The Philadelphia Bar Association declined to recommend five judges seeking reelection. Confidential survey responses from hundreds of attorneys reveal sharp criticism of some members of the bench.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Pittsburgh City Solicitor to Step Down. “Pittsburgh City Solicitor Krysia Kubiak will step down next week, Mayor Ed Gainey’s office announced Tuesday morning.  Ms. Kubiak, one of Mr. Gainey’s first appointees, has led the city’s law department since 2022.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Forward Party Endorses Pat Dugan For Philly DA. “Dugan’s campaign exclusively told Axios the centrist coalition will provide on-the-ground canvassing, phone banking and additional media support.” (Axios Philadelphia)

Editorial

4.  What Do You Think?

• While Pennsylvania Dithers, West Virginia Improves Homecare Services | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 
• When Defending the Constitution Means You Hate America | Gene Collier
• Local Elections Matter More Than You Think | Matthew Dowling
• Higher Education is Hurting. Why Should You Care? | Mary C. Curtis
• Penn State Cares More About Coaching Than Campuses | TribLIVE
• AI, Crypto, and Pennsylvania’s War On the Little Guy | Rep. Mandy Steele, Bill McKibben and Joe Morinville

1 Thing

5.  The Great Soda Remix

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are shaking up the soda biz to attract younger, more selective drinkers.

Why it matters: Americans’ affinity for soda has declined in recent years, and soda giants are trying to lure them back with smaller serving sizes, and TikTok-able flavors.

Brands are catering to shoppers who see soda as a treat, not a staple. Smaller, cheaper packages are pulling in curious shoppers — and helping balance health perceptions. Social-media-fueled flavors like “dirty soda” are pulling Gen Z into the cooler. (Axios)

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