11/7 Playbook: How The Race Was Won

November 7, 2025 | 8:17 AM EST

Steve Ulrich

???? Friday. It’s day 130 of the state budget impasse and day 38 of the longest federal government shutdown in history.

????️ In Today’s PoliticsPA Playbook. How The Supreme Court Justices Won. PA Food Bank Demand Soars. Blue Wave Sweeps a Once-Conservative School Board. ‘Honestly,’ We’re Saying It All the Time.

???? Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. Jealous Again. The Black Crowes

PA Weather
????️ Waterford | Rain, 55
????️ Mechanicsburg | Increasing Clouds, 60
????️ Pottstown | Partly Sunny, 62

???? What We’re Seeing. The Federal Aviation Administration is forcing airlines to cut 10% of their flights at 40 of the busiest airports across the nation, including Philadelphia International Airport, to reduce pressure on air traffic controllers during the ongoing government shutdown and ensure that flying remains safe.

???? What We’re Hearing. Bob Brooks – Democratic candidate for Congress in the 7th Congressional District – secured major local endorsements from Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, State Representative Pete Schweyer and State Representative Mike Schlossberg.

???? 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. How 3 PA Supreme Court Justices Won Retention — And Why The Process Might Never Be The Same

“The biggest win for Pennsylvania Democrats in Tuesday’s election was a decisive victory for three liberal state Supreme Court justices.

Each of the justices — Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht — will remain on the bench, with 62% of voters supporting their retention in a closely watched and historically expensive race. Pennsylvania on Tuesday saw 40% turnout statewide, which is higher than most off-year elections.

But a new partisan tilt to the traditionally routine and sleepy judicial retention elections emerged, and may create a ripple effect in the state’s highest court in the years to come, legal experts, party leaders and academics said.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

Shapiro Rejoices After Going ‘All-In’ To Turn Pennsylvania Bluer. “Republicans like Vice President JD Vance dismissed Tuesday’s Democratic wins as a “couple of elections in blue states,” with no real political risk for the GOP. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro begs to differ.” (Semafor)

‘Democratic Energy’, and Anger at Trump, Powered Wins Up and Down PA Ballot, Observers Say. “Pennsylvania Democrats are celebrating statewide judicial wins this week — a salve after a disastrous presidential election year, and reason for the party to hope for better results in the gubernatorial and Congressional midterm races of 2026.” (WESA)

‘I Am Part Of The American People!’: Pennsylvania Democrat Interrupts Republican News Conference. “U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan interrupted a news conference being held by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to call on him to push for a bipartisan deal to reopen the government.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Shapiro Says He Fears Trump Will Try To Interfere With 2026 Midterm Elections. “Gov. Josh Shapiro said Thursday that he is concerned President Trump will try to interfere with the 2026 midterm elections. “Make no mistake, Donald Trump is going to try to undermine our elections,” said Shapiro during an interview on MSNBC’s ”Morning Joe.”” (PennLive)

State

2. PA Food Bank Demand Soars As Shapiro Accuses Trump Administration of SNAP Stonewalling

“The ongoing surge in demand at Pennsylvania food banks on Thursday — including one where Gov. Josh Shapiro condemned the federal government’s role in the surge — was described as “unprecedented” and “quadruple the normal” and “at all-time highs.”

Food banks in Allegheny County, Westmoreland County and elsewhere are being swamped by a double whammy of demand that is rooted in partisan political conflict in Washington, but also has drawn attention in Harrisburg.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Elsewhere

Judge Orders White House to Pay Full SNAP Benefits By Friday. “A federal judge rebuked the Trump administration Thursday afternoon, ordering it to pay full SNAP benefits by Friday, according to multiple reports.” (Axios)

After Big Wins Tuesday, Democrats Think They Can Oust Brian Fitzpatrick. But the Bucks Republican Is Resilient. “Should last week’s election results make Brian Fitzpatrick nervous? Bucks County Democrats think so.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Rep. Smucker Hears Pushback From Constituents In Tele-Town Hall Amid Shutdown. “Congressman Lloyd Smucker didn’t say much about the federal government shutdown that he hadn’t already said, during a tele-town hall with constituents on Wednesday evening.” (WITF)

Mamdani Reached Out to Shapiro. They Had A ‘Healthy Dialogue’ About Israel, the PA Governor Said. “Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro shared his concerns with Zohran Mamdani about the New York City mayor-elect’s comments on Israel, the governor revealed following Mamdani’s win in Tuesday’s election.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Around The Commonwealth

3. In Pennsylvania, The Blue Wave Sweeps a Once-Conservative School Board

“The Central Bucks School District was, for a while, a nationally-noted example of a board that was remade in a conservative culture war image. Tuesday’s blue wave washed away the last traces of that image.

Analysis suggests that this was not so much a victory in the culture wars as a rejection of them. Candidates called culture warfare a “distraction” and even the GOP candidates who would go on to lose said that voters are more concerned about academics and school taxes.” (Forbes)

Elsewhere

Pittsburgh Mayor-elect Corey O’Connor Announces First Choices to Lead His Administration. “Dan Gilman has been named the next chief of staff, while Sheldon Williams has been nominated as the city’s next public safety director.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Higher-Than-Expected Election Turnout Boosted By Judicial Race, Officials Say. “Turnout in Westmoreland County, which featured few contested local races, reached 42%. County election officials had initially predicted turnout would be about 30%. In neighboring Allegheny County, where the Pittsburgh mayoral race topped the ballot, turnout was nearly 45% in the off-year election that has traditionally seen fewer voters cast ballots.” (TribLIVE)

State, National Controversies Hurt GOP Efforts to Rebuild in Allegheny County, Politicos Say. “Allegheny County Republicans hoped to make inroads in local government during the recent off-year elections. They found themselves at a dead end instead.” (WESA)

Rural Wins Raise Hopes Dems Can Reclaim Former Strongholds. “Democrats hope strong showings in rural Southwest Pennsylvania on Tuesday signal the party’s fortunes are starting to turn around.” (Axios Pittsburgh)

Cross-Filing Backfires For Some Allegheny County Judicial Candidates. “Call it the curse of cross-filing. While all 13 candidates forAllegheny County Common Pleas Court judge were Democrats, those who were cross-filed — listed on the ballot as both Democrats and Republicans as a way to appeal to voters from both parties — received fewer votes than those who ran only as Democrats.” (TribLIVE)

Editorial

4. What Do You Think?

Will a Great Night For Dems and Democracy Mean Trump Doubles Down? | Will Bunch
Trump Rolling Back Long-Sought Gun-Control Measures | Jonathan D. Salant
Conservative Justices With Conservative Arguments May Stop Trump’s Tariffs | Noah Feldman
Eating the Seed Corn | Kyle Sammin
Another Change Election | Patrick J. Murphy
‘President Fetterman’? The Commendably Independent PA Senator | Paul Kengor
Paid Not to Play? Cut Off Checks During Shutdowns | Las Vegas Review-Journal

1 Thing

5. If We’re Being Truthful, People Are Saying ‘Honestly’ All the Time

“To be honest, people are saying “honestly” all the time.

According to the Corpus of Historical American English, a database that measures word usage over time, the use of “honestly” has skyrocketed over the last 25 years.

Not just in casual conversation: It’s a signifier of online authenticity.” (NPR)

Thanks for starting your weekend with us.
Enjoy responsibly. See you Monday.

Steve Ulrich

Ulrich has worked as managing editor of PoliticsPA since January 2022 after spending two years as the Director of Elections in York (Pa.) County. Prior to that, he spent 35 years as a college athletics administrator. Send email to [email protected]