🥱 Monday, Monday.

Headlines. Poll: Democrats Maintain An Edge In The Fight For Congress. Internet Stardom Doesn’t Always Win Votes. Brady Seeks to Cement Legacy As Philly’s Most Powerful Party Boss. World’s Largest Working Steam Train Comes to Town.

🎶 Your Morning Pick Me Up. Train, Train, Blackfoot

PA Weather
🌤️  Uniontown | Partly Sunny, 69
🌤️  Mansfield | Mostly Sunny, 67
☀️  Oley | Mostly Sunny, 76

PA Sports 
⚾  Phillies (38-33) | Milwaukee 0-4 | Mon vs. Miami
⚾  Pirates (36-36) | Miami 2-4 | Mon at Athletics
⚽  USMNT (1-0) | Paraguay 4-1 | Fri vs. Australia

What We’re Hearing. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party reelected Eugene DePasquale to a full term as Chair, elected Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila H. Winder as Vice Chair, and elected former Morton Borough Mayor Amanda Hammock as Treasurer.

What’s Happening Today. The House convenes at noon. The Senate returns on June 22.

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. 

Top Story

1.  Poll: Democrats Maintain Edge In Fight For Congress As Trump Gets Poor Marks

“President Donald Trump’s poor approval rating continues to weigh down his party ahead of the midterms — though the GOP has a slim measure of separation from the president, with Democrats holding a 5-point lead in the battle for control of Congress, according to a new national NBC News poll.

The poll — which was sponsored by More Perfect, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to advancing democracy — found 49% of registered voters say they prefer to see Democrats control Congress as a result of this year’s elections, compared to 44% who prefer Republican control and 7% who are unsure.” | NBC News

Elsewhere

Outside Groups Are Increasingly Using An Old Tactic to Hide Their Sources of Funding. “More than $48 million has already been spent on House and Senate primaries this year by super PACs that did not have to reveal their donors before elections took place.” | POLITICO

Republicans Wish Trump’s Favorite Voting Bill Would Just Die Already. “The SAVE America Act just won’t go away for Senate Republicans, no matter how many times they think it’s dead and gone.” | NOTUS

Senate Panel Sets Markup On College Sports Bill. “The Senate Commerce Committee has scheduled the markup of a bipartisan measure that proposes sweeping changes to collegiate athletics and has the backing of President Donald Trump.” | Roll Call

Fox News Host Fact-Checks John Fetterman: ‘Senator, We Haven’t Confirmed That’. “Sen. John Fetterman was back on television Friday attacking a familiar target: controversial Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner. This time, he received some fact-checking pushback from a Fox News host.” | Philadelphia Inquirer 

State

2.  Campaigns Are Embracing Influencers, But Internet Stardom Doesn’t Always Win Votes

“It’s becoming a more common goal for campaigns to seek out viral moments and the support of popular internet stars as part of an effort to reach more voters online. 

But the strategy, albeit flashy, has yielded mixed results in key races this cycle as candidates try to figure out how much political power an influencer can have.” | NPR

Elsewhere

PA Attorney General Signs Off On State Funding For Gov. Shapiro’s Home Security Upgrades. “State Attorney General Dave Sunday approved a settlement agreement to pay contractors who installed security improvements in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s private Albington residence worth roughly $1.1 million.” | Penn Capital-Star

There’s Bipartisan Support to Address PA’s Housing Crisis. Will the Legislature’s Efforts Make A Difference? “Finding ways to tackle Pennsylvania’s housing shortage has become a priority in Harrisburg. In recent years, a growing number of state legislatures have passed bills aimed at building more housing. Pennsylvania hasn’t been one of them.” | Spotlight PA

How PA Towns Are Protecting Themselves From the Noise, Heat and Utility Costs of Data Centers. “Pennsylvania has become a hot spot for data center proposals and public backlash about where to build them. My hometown has drawn national attention because of proposals for multiple data centers that would cover 14% of its area.” | The Conversation

Around The Commonwealth

3.   Brady Seeks to Cement Legacy As Philly’s Most Powerful Party Boss in Modern Era

“Ask Bob Brady how he’s managed to serve 40 years as chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic Party and his response is simple. “Tell the truth, don’t lie to them, and help them any way I can,” he said of his continued support from city ward leaders.

That support from ward leaders is expected to continue Monday night when Brady stands for another four-year term as party chair.” | Philadelphia Tribune

Elsewhere

No Philly Mayor Has Lost Reelection In Modern History. So Does Mayor Parker Have Anything To Worry About? “Progressives are eyeing the mayor’s office after State Rep. Chris Rabb’s win in the 3rd Congressional District. But any challenger to Parker would be considered a significant underdog.” | Philadelphia Inquirer

Lehigh County Executive to Unveil ICE ‘Non-Cooperation’ Policy. “Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel will join with civil rights activists and immigrant rights groups Tuesday to present a policy he’s proposed that would bar county employees from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while on the job.” | Morning Call

Lancaster Democrats Elect New Chair Following Concerns About Previous Leader’s Management Style. “East Hempfield Democrat Michael Mezzetti secured a decisive victory Sunday to become the next Lancaster County Democratic Committee chair after weeks of internal debate over the previous chair’s management style.” | LNP

Editorial

4.  What Do You Think?

• Accountability Is Key To Keeping Our Children Safe | Joanna McClinton and Dave Sunday
• Shapiro’s Utility Crackdown Won’t Fix Pennsylvania’s Power Shortage | Ross Marchand 
• As a Black Voter, Graham Platner’s Ethics Don’t Bother Me — My People Can’t Afford to Wait For a Perfect Candidate | Solomon Jones
• Your Neighbor Didn’t Vote For Cruelty, and That Matters | Jill Sunday Bartoli
• The Generational Disaster of Trump, Bush and Clinton | John F. Harris
• The Platner Problem: When Principles Meet Power | Melinda Henneberger

1 Thing

5.  Thousands Gather to Glimpse World’s Largest Working Steam Train

“Big Boy No. 4014 did not disappoint during its visit through the area Saturday morning.

Union Pacific’s 1-million-pound steam locomotive met a resounding welcome as it made its way over the iconic Tunkhannock Viaduct.

Fans of the historic train applauded, cheered and even did a little jumping up and down with the first sound of the train’s whistle signaling its approach. The cross over the span, commonly referred to as the Nicholson Viaduct, is part of a cross-country tour in honor of the 250th birthday of the United States.” | Scranton Times-Tribune

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