Democrats aren’t exactly defecting from Wolf, whose handling of the crisis has won broad support in public opinion polls. But the shift is clear.Pennsylvania Democrats have mostly supported Gov. Tom Wolf as Republicans in the state legislature push him to more quickly, and even contemplated .But two months after Wolf ordered most of the state’s 12.8 million residents to stay at home and closed all businesses not deemed some in his party are starting to show frustration with the coronavirus lockdowns — and with the governor.The two top Democrats in the legislature wrote a letter to Wolf on...…Democrats aren’t exactly defecting from Wolf, whose handling of the crisis has won broad support in public opinion polls. But the shift is clear.Pennsylvania Democrats have mostly supported Gov. Tom Wolf as Republicans in the state legislature push him to more quickly, and even contemplated .But two months after Wolf ordered most of the state’s 12.8 million residents to stay at home and closed all businesses not deemed some in his party are starting to show frustration with the coronavirus lockdowns — and with the governor.The two top Democrats in the legislature wrote a letter to Wolf on...WW…

Recent shifts in Pennsylvania voter registration have amplified a long-running realignment that is transforming politics across the state and has framed the electoral landscape for the battle between Trump and Joe Biden.It’s not 2016 anymore.President Donald Trump and Joe Biden aren’t competing for the same composition of voters who won Trump the state four years ago. And despite at the moment, at least in terms of which voters are joining which party, there’s good news for the GOP: Registration shifts across the state show Republicans gaining voters at five times the rate of...…Recent shifts in Pennsylvania voter registration have amplified a long-running realignment that is transforming politics across the state and has framed the electoral landscape for the battle between Trump and Joe Biden.It’s not 2016 anymore.President Donald Trump and Joe Biden aren’t competing for the same composition of voters who won Trump the state four years ago. And despite at the moment, at least in terms of which voters are joining which party, there’s good news for the GOP: Registration shifts across the state show Republicans gaining voters at five times the rate of...WW…

Protect Our Police PAC said it fired a national marketing firm that sent the plea for donations, calling it “tactless messaging” that “does not reflect the values or views” of the group.A group of retired Philadelphia police officers apologized Friday for that blamed George Floyd for his own death and claimed former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is on “trial for a murder he did not commit.”Protect Our Police PAC said it that sent the plea for donations, calling it “tactless messaging” that “does not reflect the values or views” of the group.“Chauvin’s actions were examples of bad...…Protect Our Police PAC said it fired a national marketing firm that sent the plea for donations, calling it “tactless messaging” that “does not reflect the values or views” of the group.A group of retired Philadelphia police officers apologized Friday for that blamed George Floyd for his own death and claimed former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is on “trial for a murder he did not commit.”Protect Our Police PAC said it that sent the plea for donations, calling it “tactless messaging” that “does not reflect the values or views” of the group.“Chauvin’s actions were examples of bad...WW…

Rhynhart is poised to go unchallenged for reelection as city controller. That’s got political watchers talking more about her potential candidacy for mayor in 2023.Rebecca Rhynhart became Philadelphia city controller as in .Four years later, Rhynhart is poised to go unchallenged in both the May Democratic primary and November’s general election. And that’s got political watchers talking more about her potential candidacy for mayor in 2023 than her current campaign.Rhynhart, the first woman to serve as city controller, isn’t letting the lack of a competitive campaign slow her fund-raising....…Rhynhart is poised to go unchallenged for reelection as city controller. That’s got political watchers talking more about her potential candidacy for mayor in 2023.Rebecca Rhynhart became Philadelphia city controller as in .Four years later, Rhynhart is poised to go unchallenged in both the May Democratic primary and November’s general election. And that’s got political watchers talking more about her potential candidacy for mayor in 2023 than her current campaign.Rhynhart, the first woman to serve as city controller, isn’t letting the lack of a competitive campaign slow her fund-raising....WW…

Jeff Brown, the outspoken owner of a chain of ShopRite grocery stores who made headlines opposing Mayor Jim Kenney’s soda tax, is eyeing a run for mayor.Clout readers know there’s no shortage of , from City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart to about a third of City Council.Add Jeff Brown to that list. The outspoken owner of , who made headlines Mayor Jim Kenney’s soda tax, is also eyeing the race.The Philadelphia Tribune Brown’s interest in running for mayor. Clout has learned Brown is talking to political consultant Doc Sweitzer about a potential run.Sweitzer is the longtime business partner of...…Jeff Brown, the outspoken owner of a chain of ShopRite grocery stores who made headlines opposing Mayor Jim Kenney’s soda tax, is eyeing a run for mayor.Clout readers know there’s no shortage of , from City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart to about a third of City Council.Add Jeff Brown to that list. The outspoken owner of , who made headlines Mayor Jim Kenney’s soda tax, is also eyeing the race.The Philadelphia Tribune Brown’s interest in running for mayor. Clout has learned Brown is talking to political consultant Doc Sweitzer about a potential run.Sweitzer is the longtime business partner of...WW…

Fetterman has long said he didn’t know the man was Black. The incident was thrust back in the spotlight by his announcement that he’s running for U.S. Senate.Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman on Tuesday defended his actions in because he believed the man, who turned out to be an unarmed Black jogger, had been involved in a shooting.While Fetterman has long said he didn’t know the man’s race, the incident was thrust back in the spotlight by .Fetterman was the mayor of Braddock when he said he heard gunshots not far from his home, then saw someone running from the area. Fetterman said he...…Fetterman has long said he didn’t know the man was Black. The incident was thrust back in the spotlight by his announcement that he’s running for U.S. Senate.Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman on Tuesday defended his actions in because he believed the man, who turned out to be an unarmed Black jogger, had been involved in a shooting.While Fetterman has long said he didn’t know the man’s race, the incident was thrust back in the spotlight by .Fetterman was the mayor of Braddock when he said he heard gunshots not far from his home, then saw someone running from the area. Fetterman said he...WW…

A group organized last year by retired cops opposed to Krasner winning a second term is shopping around for a challenger., a group opposed to District Attorney Larry Krasner winning a second term, is shopping around for a challenger.Enter Susquehanna Polling & Research, a Harrisburg firm hired by the political action committee to test Krasner’s standing with 400 likely voters in the May 18 Democratic primary.The firm used a curious technique — testing Krasner’s chances against two very real people without naming them.One is Carlos Vega, a former top prosecutor in 2018. The other is...…A group organized last year by retired cops opposed to Krasner winning a second term is shopping around for a challenger., a group opposed to District Attorney Larry Krasner winning a second term, is shopping around for a challenger.Enter Susquehanna Polling & Research, a Harrisburg firm hired by the political action committee to test Krasner’s standing with 400 likely voters in the May 18 Democratic primary.The firm used a curious technique — testing Krasner’s chances against two very real people without naming them.One is Carlos Vega, a former top prosecutor in 2018. The other is...WW…

Kenney is also eyeing a potential run for governor, but many city and state political watchers doubt he will ultimately pull the trigger on a statewide campaign.Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is considering a run for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat next year, according to a source with direct knowledge of his thinking, even as he continues to also weigh .“The priority is the pandemic and getting everybody vaccinated. That’s his primary focus, among other issues,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations with Kenney. “But the governor’s race...…Kenney is also eyeing a potential run for governor, but many city and state political watchers doubt he will ultimately pull the trigger on a statewide campaign.Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is considering a run for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat next year, according to a source with direct knowledge of his thinking, even as he continues to also weigh .“The priority is the pandemic and getting everybody vaccinated. That’s his primary focus, among other issues,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations with Kenney. “But the governor’s race...WW…

Pennsylvania’s open-seat Senate race is already considered one of the most competitive in the country and will help determine which party controls the chamber after the midterm elections.Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman says he is taking “a serious look” at another run for the U.S. Senate in 2022, an ambition he plans to share with supporters on Friday.“The 2022 cycle in Pennsylvania is going to be one of the most, if not the most, important races,” Fetterman told The Inquirer in a brief interview Thursday.Pennsylvania’s open-seat Senate race is already considered one of the most...…Pennsylvania’s open-seat Senate race is already considered one of the most competitive in the country and will help determine which party controls the chamber after the midterm elections.Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman says he is taking “a serious look” at another run for the U.S. Senate in 2022, an ambition he plans to share with supporters on Friday.“The 2022 cycle in Pennsylvania is going to be one of the most, if not the most, important races,” Fetterman told The Inquirer in a brief interview Thursday.Pennsylvania’s open-seat Senate race is already considered one of the most...WW…

Prosecutors have declined to identify the political consultant they say paid bribes to influence votes. But sources briefed on the matter and an Inquirer analysis of campaign finance data and court filings in DeMuro’s case point to one man: former Congressman Michael “Ozzie” Myers.A central question lingered after federal authorities last week disclosed that a South Philadelphia poll worker had admitted taking bribes to stuff ballot boxes in local elections:Who was described in court filings as the man who paid Domenick DeMuro, 73, to inflate vote totals on behalf of favored candidates...…Prosecutors have declined to identify the political consultant they say paid bribes to influence votes. But sources briefed on the matter and an Inquirer analysis of campaign finance data and court filings in DeMuro’s case point to one man: former Congressman Michael “Ozzie” Myers.A central question lingered after federal authorities last week disclosed that a South Philadelphia poll worker had admitted taking bribes to stuff ballot boxes in local elections:Who was described in court filings as the man who paid Domenick DeMuro, 73, to inflate vote totals on behalf of favored candidates...WW…