????  Monday’s PoliticsPA Playbook.Unearthed Audio Appears To Contradict Bresnahan’s Stock Trading Claim. Who’s Running For Congress, PA Senate or PA House? ICE Cooperation Up For Debate in Pennsylvania. Haverford Teacher Finalist For National Teacher of the Year

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????  What We’re Listening To. In this episode of Voices of Reason, we take a closer look at one of the most debated issues in Pennsylvania education and athletics: the future of girls’ sports and the rights of transgender athletes. Host Steve Ulrich talks with state Sen. Judy Ward and Naiymah Sanchez from ACLU-PA about their perspectives.

????  Tips. PoliticsPA is Pennsylvania’s premier source for nonpartisan political news and analysis. Tips or press releases can be sent to [email protected].

????  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.   Unearthed Audio Appears To Contradict Bresnahan’s Stock Trading Claims

“Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-08), who’s faced a firestorm over hundreds of stock trades after campaigning in 2024 on a promise to ban congressional stock trading, has insisted he doesn’t talk to his financial adviser about the activity and that he has no input on them.

But a little-noticed local radio interview from last April contradicts a significant part of Bresnahan’s line on the market moves.” | POLITICO

Elsewhere

McCormick Worries About Terrorists, Says U.S. Should Avoid Iranian Governance. “U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick has strongly supported President Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran, but he also warned Monday that the conflict “poses a threat here at home.”” | Philadelphia Inquirer

Trump’s Plan For the Midterms? Pass the SAVE America Act. “House Republicans are defending a razor-thin majority amid a balky economy, ominous historical trends, a growing retirement list and a burgeoning oil crisis sparked by the chaotic U.S. war against Iran. Among President Donald Trump’s pieces of advice to Republicans gathered here at the House GOP’s legislative retreat? Pass the SAVE America Act.” | Punchbowl News

Perry Named Among Top Vulnerable Congressional Republicans In New Rankings. “In its latest House Power Rankings, National Journal lists Rep. Scott Perry, who represents the 10th Congressional District, as the second-most vulnerable House member in Pennsylvania behind Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in the 7th Congressional District.” | PennLive

State

2.   Who’s Running For Congress, PA Senate or PA House?

“Tuesday is the deadline for filing nomination petitions to place candidates on the ballot for the 2026 primary election.

Who has turned in their petitions already? Who is a candidate? Take a look, courtesy of the Department of State database.” | PoliticsPA

Elsewhere

HD-193: Wallen, Crawley Vie to Fill Out Ecker’s Term in PA House. “In the 193rd Legislative District, Democrat Todd Crawley and Republican Catherine Wallen meet to fill out the remaining term of Torren Ecker, who resigned from his seat to become a judge on the Adams County Court of Common Pleas.” | PoliticsPA

HD-79: McCoy, Verobish Look to Replace Schmitt in Blair County Special Election. “In the 79th Legislative District, Democrat Caleb McCoy and Republican Andrea Verobish meet to fill out the remaining term of Lou Schmitt, who resigned from his seat to become a judge on the Blair County Court of Common Pleas.” | PoliticsPA

Shapiro Has Never Browsed The Internet On State Devices, His Office Says. “Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office says the governor does not browse the internet — ever — while using a state-issued cell phone, tablet, or computer, a sweeping claim for his more than 1,100 days in office that, while technically possible, still defies common logic in the face of how work typically gets done in the modern internet era.” | Broad + Liberty

Pennsylvania Officials Say Trump Policies A Worry For Woman- And Minority-Owned Firms. “Some 1,400 small businesses in Pennsylvania that are owned by women or minorities face a difficult challenge: They have to prove all over again that they are eligible for a program meant to help disadvantaged business owners — only this time without mentioning that they are women or minorities.” | WESA

Around The Commonwealth

3.   ICE Cooperation Up For Debate in Pennsylvania

“Immigration enforcement operations across the U.S. – and the backlash they have sparked in some communities – have prompted local officials and state lawmakers in Pennsylvania to advance competing proposals over “sanctuary” policies and cooperation with federal authorities.

Dozens of immigration-related bills have been proposed or introduced in Harrisburg – and the debate is largely split along party lines. Democratic proposals generally seek to restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and expand protections for all residents regardless of immigration status, while Republican proposals tend to push in the opposite direction.” | The Center Square

Elsewhere

O’Connor Unveils Overhaul of Pittsburgh’s Permitting Process. “City officials are looking to overhaul the zoning code to remove obsolete sections, simplify height and other requirements and lower the number of districts.” | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Report: PA School Districts Facing Budget, Mental Health and Special Education Challenges. “Budget pressures – especially from rising healthcare and special education costs – remain a top concern for the state’s public schools, along with sagging math scores and growing needs around student mental health. That’s according to the 10th annual State of Education report from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, which represents the vast majority of the leadership for the state’s 500 public-school districts.” | City & State

Allegheny County Democrats Make Endorsements For Primary Election. “The slate of endorsed candidates mostly included incumbents with a few new names.” | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Editorial

4.  What Do You Think?

• Here’s the Real State of the Union | David Walker
• Congress’ Unconditional Surrender | Steven Pearlstein
• 2026 Offers The Ideal Opportunity For Bipartisan Civics Legislation | Jim Gerlach and Joe Hoeffel 
• Noem’s Fall Shows Why Independent Watchdogs Matter at Every Level of Government | Ben Mannes
• Yes, Noem Is Out at DHS, But Is Trump’s Pick to Replace Her Any Better? | Philadelphia Inquirer
• Mr. Shapiro’s Neighborhood | Lowman Henry
• Local Governments Provide Proof That Polarization Is Not Inevitable | Lauren Hall

1 Thing

5.   This Haverford Teacher Didn’t Have Black Role Models In School. Now He’s A Finalist For National Teacher of the Year

“The dozen students in Leon Smith’s Advanced Placement African American Studies class were analyzing Countee Cullen’s conflicted emotions about his ancestral homeland of Africa in his poem, “Heritage.”

Smith challenged the Haverford High School students to consider the Harlem Renaissance-era poet’s intent. “You have to meet people where they are,” Smith told students in class last month. “Once you’ve done that, you can deliver the message you want to deliver.”

A history teacher who has worked at Haverford High School for 25 years, Smith is in the running to gain a much bigger platform: He’s one of five finalists for National Teacher of the Year, an award from the Council of Chief School Officers that would allow him to spend a year traveling the country promoting the teaching profession.” | Philadelphia Inquirer

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