A gaffe, an endorsement and an appointment. See who made this week’s list!

Pat Toomey. After a distressing series of surveys, Toomey emerged with a lead in the latest Quinnipiac Poll which had him running several points ahead of Donald Trump. The incumbent Senator also won our (arguably more important) reader poll. Additionally, Sen. Toomey opened up a new line of attack against his Democratic opponent Katie McGinty by emphasizing her time as Chief of Staff during Governor Wolf’s stalled first year. If Toomey can have some more weeks like this one he’ll increase his odds of winning a second term.  

Donald Trump Jr. The GOP presidential nominee’s oldest son and namesake visited Pennsylvania this week and ran into trouble. First, Trump Jr. made an unfortunate reference to “gas chambers” during a conversation with Chris Stigall of 1210 WPHT. Then, he was caught flat-flooded in an interview with Bob Mayo of WTAE to the point that a staffer had to cut it short. It will be interesting to see if Trump Jr. visits the commonwealth again before November 8th.

Christina Hartman. The Democratic nominee in the open contest in PA-16 got a major boost Monday. EMILY’s List, the prominent interest group that promotes pro-choice female candidates, endorsed Hartman’s candidacy. Hartman was arguably already the Democrats’ second-highest priority in the Keystone State given the DCCC’s troubles in PA-6 and PA-7. It will still be a tough, uphill battle for Hartman but at least she has a chance.

Matt Cartwright. Committee assignments can determine a Congressman’s degree of influence and perhaps the most powerful committee of all is the Appropriations Committee. So Rep. Cartwright must have been thrilled when he learned Wednesday that he’d scored the open seat on that body. Cartwright will take over for Chaka Fattah, who was forced to resign after being convicted last summer. The two-term incumbent now has a major opportunity to make his voice heard in Washington, D.C.

Eric Papenfuse. We’ll be giving the Harrisburg Mayor a down arrow every week until he lifts his ridiculous ban of PennLive. This is week fourteen.

The tweet of the week goes to Philadelphia Magazine’s Dan McQuade for this A+ gif.