4/10 Playbook: GOP Fortunes Trending Lower

April 10, 2026 | 8:10 AM EDT

Steve Ulrich

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???? Headlines. Things Aren’t Getting Better As Yet For Republicans. How One Man Broke Into Governor’s Residence, Set Fires and Fled Unchallenged. The Highest-Paid Pennsylvania State Employees. Volunteers Turn Fan’s Recordings Of 10,000 Concerts Into Online Treasure Trove

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Top Story

1. Things Aren’t Getting Better As Yet For Republicans

“Just a few months ago, Republican strategists expressed some optimism about their party’s midterm fortunes. Gas prices were falling, the stock market was surging and tax refunds were imminent.

But President Donald Trump’s war with Iran has at least stalled that momentum, and he’s at risk of being an anvil around the necks of GOP candidates in the fall midterms.

Historical midterm trends are working against the party that holds the House majority, particularly with an unpopular president in the White House. While Republicans had faith in the direction of the economy and felt they had time to turn things around before November, neither of those factors are working in their favor anymore.” | Roll Call

Elsewhere

Perry, Other Targeted PA House Republicans Set To Get A Boost From Speaker Mike Johnson. “U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson will be spending some time this week in Pennsylvania trying to boost the campaign coffers of four Republican members and the chances of retaining his leadership role.” | PennLive

PA-10: Republicans Focus on Tax Cuts as Gas Prices Take Spotlight. “Democrats and Republicans in tough races pitched very different messages to constituents over the April recess, previewing 2026 midterm strategies.” | NOTUS

US House Democrats, Including Rep. Madeline Dean, Call For Congress To Come Back Into Session For Iran War Debate. “House Democrats on Capitol Hill Thursday slammed President Donald Trump’s rhetoric on Iran as “beyond the pale” and urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene Congress and rein in the president’s war powers.” | Penn Capital-Star

DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, Bet365 Fund Sports Gambling Super PAC. “Several major sportsbooks have contributed tens of millions of dollars to a new super PAC to support sports betting throughout the country. The organization expects to engage in as many as 15 more states between now and November, including Pennsylvania and New York.” | Axios

State

2. Here’s How One Man Broke Into The Governor’s Residence, Set Fires And Fled Unchallenged

“One year ago, a down-on-his-luck mechanic battling severe mental illness carried off a stunning arson attack at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence.

Ever since, many in the public — from retired cops to Capitol Hill staffers to Uptown Harrisburg residents — have wondered how did Cody Balmer do it?

PennLive has learned one fundamental reason.” | PennLive

Elsewhere

Million-Dollar War Chests Spur Questions About Pennsylvania’s Relaxed Campaign Finance Laws. “Thousands of donors to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (D) reelection campaign mean thousands of pages in disclosure forms. One that caught our eye — $1 million from San Francisco tech magnate Christian Larsen. Voters can see who he is and how much he gave, which means the system is working. But it doesn’t always work that way.” | abc27

High Court Rejects Penn State’s Bid To Keep Trustee Records Hidden From Public. “The state’s highest court has denied Penn State’s request to overturn a ruling that will give Spotlight PA and the public access to long-sought trustee documents.” | Spotlight PA

Pennsylvania’s Minimum Wage Specifics Still In Play. “Pennsylvania lawmakers appear to agree the state’s $7.25 minimum wage is outdated, but the details on how far and how fast to raise it are up for debate as a House-passed bill heads to the Senate. Democrats say it’s time to do the right thing while Republicans claim the bill fails to protect the wages of tipped workers, so they suggest finding middle ground.” | The Center Square

An Interview With Jason Richey, Part 1. “A year ago, I interviewed Jason Richey after he became chairman of the Allegheny County GOP. He has continued his ascent within Pennsylvania’s Republican Party after securing the party’s endorsement for lieutenant governor. Since then, he has been campaigning alongside state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who received the party’s endorsement in her run for governor.” | Broad + Liberty

Around The Commonwealth

3. Highest-Paid Pennsylvania State Employees: See The Top 25 Salaries

“Higher education administrators, pension fund managers and state agency heads lead the list of Pennsylvania’s highest paid state government employees.

According to PennWATCH, a state-maintained portal to data about state monies and employees, many of the top 25 highest salaries go toward the presidents of Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education college presidents, as well as PSSHE’s top leaders. Six of the top 25 salaries go toward employees of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System.

The people you won’t see on the list: The highest-profile state employees.” | Erie Times-News

Elsewhere

PA-01: Meet Bob Harvie and Lucia Simonelli, the Democrats Fighting to Unseat Brian Fitzpatrick in Congress. “Democrats are aiming to flip the 1st Congressional District seat in Bucks County to help take control of the U.S. House. Here’s what you need to know.” | WHYY

ICE Fighting DEP Orders On Two Pennsylvania Detention Center Sites. “The state orders have effectively blocked water and sewage use until the federal agency provides detailed plans.” | Penn Capital-Star

Uber Has Launched An All-Out Pressure Campaign To Oppose Mayor Parker’s $1-Per-Ride Tax. “Mayor Cherelle L. Parker thinks she has public opinion on her side. A recent poll shows a majority of Democratic primary voters in Philadelphia approve of the tax.” | Philadelphia Inquirer

Editorial

4. What Do You Think?

Scott Perry Didn’t Respond — So The Editorial Board Heard From The Democrats Who Want His Seat | PennLive
Why Republicans Will Not Run Away From Trump | Liam Donovan and John Guida
The Pennsylvania Leadership Conference Scores Again | Jeffrey Lord
In This Year Of Milestones For Pennsylvania, Let’s Forge Another First: A Statewide Law Promoting A Local News Revival | Jim Friedlich

1 Thing

5. Saving A Record Collection

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A worldwide group of volunteers is digitizing and uploading a Chicago man’s lifelong collection of over 10,000 concert recordings.

???? The “Aadam Jacobs Collection” (yes, two A’s!) is an online treasure trove for music lovers, featuring early performances by R.E.M., The Cure, the Pixies and more.

???? Jacobs says most artists are happy to have their work preserved, and he’s only gotten a few takedown requests.

“I think that the general consensus is, it’s easier to say I’m sorry than to ask for permission.” | AP

Thank you for starting your weekend with us.
Spend some quality time outside. 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]