🤠 G’day Thursday. 

🎶 Your Morning Pick Me Up. Ready To Go. Republica

PA Weather
🌂  Washington | Mostly Cloudy, Chance of Showers, 80
🌤️  Lewistown | Partly Sunny, 85
🌤️  Drums | Partly Sunny, 82

PA Sports 
⚾  Phillies (82-64, -3.0 GB, +4.0 GB WC) | Houston 11-7 | Thu vs. Houston
⚾  Pirates (73-73, -5.0 GB WC) | White Sox 4-2 | Thu at Chicago White Sox

🎤 What They’re Saying. “I’m always going to stand with America,” Sen. John Fetterman said. “I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life.”

💬 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. For the web version, click here. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

Top Story

1.   Democratic Sen. Fetterman Speaks at a GOP Midterm Convention, Fueling Party-Switch Fears

“Democratic Sen. John Fetterman spoke to the Republican midterm convention via video Wednesday, further escalating the growing rupture between the Pennsylvanian and his party.

Fetterman spoke for just over one minute in a recorded video introducing his fellow Pennsylvania senator, Republican Dave McCormick, whom Fetterman called “a great American.”

He didn’t criticize anyone by name but suggested Democrats are extremists, underscoring the message that Republicans are trying to drive home during their two-day rally in Dallas. The convention is meant to fire up the conservative base ahead of midterm elections, when the president’s party has historically lost seats.” | AP

Elsewhere

Vulnerable PA Republican Rob Bresnahan Delivers ‘Trump-A-Palooza’ Speech In Dallas Amid Tough Race Back Home. “In an arena littered with President Donald Trump’s image — from the photos that lined the concourse to the gift shops selling merch depicting the president as a cowboy — one of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable Republican lawmakers this fall went all-in.” | Philadelphia Inquirer

PA’s Political Odd Couple: The Reclusive Fetterman, the Outgoing McCormick. “When not in Washington, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick flies around Pennsylvania like he’s running for something. By his office’s count, he’s made more than 300 public appearances in the state since taking office in January 2025. His counterpart, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, is far more likely to be seen on national television — shows such as “Hannity” or “Real Time with Bill Maher” — than at public events in the state.” | PennLive

Trump Administration Proposes Eliminating Race Questions From Census. “The 2030 count would no longer include most immigrants in apportioning House seats under the overhaul.” | Wall Street Journal

Gov. Josh Shapiro and Utah Gov. Cox Condemn Political Violence In Joint Appearance on Eve of Anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s Killing. “One year ago, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was on his way to deliver one of the most sobering speeches of his political career. Amid a flurry of messages of support from other leaders, Cox, a Republican, said he spoke to Pennsylvania’s Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who experienced political violence of his own and offered advice for how Cox could comfort a jostled community.” | Philadelphia Inquirer

State

2.   PA Elections Chief: ‘Nothing Has Changed’ Following Trump Mail-In Ballot Order

“Amid a national legal battle over the use of mail-in voting ahead of this year’s midterm elections, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said Wednesday that Pennsylvanians should be confident in the state’s election process and security.

“The Department of State remains committed to ensuring another free, fair, safe and secure election this November, and fighting any unlawful federal overreach into our elections,” Schmidt continued. “Despite the federal government’s attempts, and while we recognize that litigation is ongoing, nothing has changed about Pennsylvania’s mail ballot voting laws.”

Each of the state’s 67 counties oversees elections in their jurisdiction, he added, including preparing, proofing, printing and mailing ballots. Some ballots for overseas and military voters have already been mailed. ” | Penn Capital-Star

Elsewhere

PA-01: Brian Fitzpatrick’s Democratic Challenger Wants to Make His Race About Data Centers. “Democrat Bob Harvie’s first general-election ad in his campaign against Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is calling for a data center moratorium, the latest sign artificial intelligence is emerging as a key midterm campaign issue.” | Politico

PA-03: Meet the Humanitarian Aid Worker and Independent Candidate Running Against Chris Rabb in November. “The Forward Party Victory Fund, a Philly-based super PAC, is backing independent candidates around the country including in Pennsylvania’s deep-blue 3rd Congressional District.” | Philadelphia Inquirer

PA Republican Lawmakers Say Proposed Department of Health Regulations Pose Privacy Concerns. “Pennsylvania’s Department of Health is facing widespread pushback from Republican lawmakers who say the agency’s plan for how it would respond to future infectious disease outbreaks would give health officials the power to talk to children without their parents’ consent.” | LNP

West Virginia Sues Pennsylvania For ‘Naked Economic Warfare.’ ‘A neighboring state has sued Pennsylvania over laws passed in the last decade that prevent energy companies from outside of the Commonwealth from selling renewable-energy credits to those inside it. ’ | Charleston Gazette-Mail

Around The Commonwealth

3.   Welcome to the AI Election Where Your Eyes Lie to You

“Politicians have long made it hard to trust their words. Now, AI-generated campaign ads flooding the airwaves and social media are making it harder to trust your own eyes and ears.

Why it matters: Americans’ trust in politicians and institutions has been tanking in recent years — and AI campaign ads could deepen that erosion, political tech experts say.

“The one thing that both right and left seem to agree on is that they don’t trust AI,” Sarah Kreps, the director of Cornell’s Tech Policy Institute, tells Axios. “They want authenticity, not AI-generated slop.”” | Axios

Elsewhere

Shapiro, Sunday, Pittman, and Bradford Weigh In on SEPTA Special Prosecutor. “As the special prosecutor who oversees crime reduction on the state’s largest public transit system nears the end of his term, the bipartisan group of lawmakers that voted to appoint him – and those responsible for doing so – weigh in on whether he should stay in the role for an extra year.” | The Center Square

PA State Rep. Maloney Calls For Renaming Lake Erie. “State Rep. David Maloney says Pennsylvania has only one Great Lake, and maybe it is time we put our name on it. Maloney is preparing a resolution urging the President of the United States, Congress, and the United States Secretary of the Interior to take the necessary steps to rename Lake Erie as “Lake Pennsylvania.”” | Reading Eagle

HD-160: What to Know About the 160th House District Race in Chesco and Delco. “Republican incumbent state Rep. Craig Williams is facing a challenge once again from Democratic candidate Elizabeth Moro.” | WHYY

HD-144: What to Know About the 144th House District Race in Bucks County. “Democratic incumbent state Rep. Brian Munroe is facing a challenge from Republican Mike Murphy.” | WHYY

Editorial

4.  What Do You Think?

• Trump Is Sabotaging the Midterms. The Supreme Court Must Stop Him | New York Times
• Trump’s Biggest Lie Isn’t About Wars Or The Economy—It’s About Your Vote | John Sigle 
• Preparing the Next Generation of Pennsylvania’s Workforce to Power Our Future | Carl A. Marrara
• House Democrats’ Health Care Plan Will Bankrupt This State — And Its Citizens | Broad + Liberty
• We Must Never Let Sept. 11 Memories Fade | MediaNews Group

1 Thing

5.   Girl Scouts of Eastern PA Debuts Its 1st Dog Cookie, 1st Allergy-Friendly Cookie Ahead of the 2027 Cookie Season

“Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania on Tuesday unveiled two first-of-their-kind additions to the 2027 Girl Scout Cookie® lineup. Patch Pals™, developed with BARK, and Girl Scout Sparkables™, developed with Partake®, will debut together as the first cookie created just for dogs and the first allergy-friendly cookie. The online exclusive offerings will join beloved classics like Thin Mints®, Caramel deLites®, Peanut Butter Patties®, and more.

Inspired by Girl Scouts around the country who have advocated for expanding the cookie lineup to meet the diverse needs of their communities, Patch Pals and Girl Scout Sparkables offer new ways for more girls, families and beloved pets to participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program® — while staying true to what makes the tradition special.” | PhillyDaily

Thank you for starting your Thursday with us.
Make it a great one. See you tomorrow to wrap up the week.