November 5 Playbook: Shapiro’s Wins Fuel National Talk

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Did governor bolster presidential consideration? This is the PoliticsPA Playbook.

☀️ Good Thursday Morning. Shapiro’s Big Wins in Pennsylvania Fuel Talk About His National Future. What Will Pennsylvania Democrats Do With a Trifecta? How Bob Harvie Unseated Brian Fitzpatrick? The Legend of Zelda Returns

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Top Story

1.  Josh Shapiro’s Big Wins in Pennsylvania Fuel Talk About His National Future

“The governor helped Democrats flip congressional seats and win the state Senate, bolstering his standing as a possible 2028 contender.

The sweeping victories, which Shapiro spent $10 million in campaign funds to help achieve, represent a turning point for a 53-year-old politician and could strengthen his standing among Democrats looking for a new generation of national leaders.

Shapiro is frequently mentioned as a possible 2028 presidential candidate. On Wednesday, he said his chief focus was working with other state Democrats on a legislative agenda. But when asked whether he was committed to keeping his focus local, he was less definitive: “You will see what my plans are when I execute them.”” | Washington Post

Elsewhere

PA Democrats Flipped 4 US House Seats. Now Comes the Hard Part. “The last time Pennsylvania voters sent 11 Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives, it was 2008 and Barack Obama was trying to make history as the nation’s first Black president.” | USA Today Network

Boyle Not Running for U.S. Senate in 2028. “Brendan Boyle, who represents part of Philadelphia, had previously teased a primary run against incumbent U.S. Senator John Fetterman, but says he will instead focus on his role as Chairman of the House Budget Committee after Democrats won the House majority on Tuesday.” | abc27

‘He is Done’: Post-Election View is Democrats’ U.S. Senate Majority Makes Fetterman ‘Irrelevant.’ “With Democrats winning at least 54 seats in the U.S. Senate, and potentially two more, the consensus on Wednesday was that rogue Democratic Sen. John Fetterman faces a murky future with little leverage.” | PennLive

How Democrats Flipped the PA Senate and Congress to Take Control in Harrisburg and Washington. “The midterm elections Tuesday served as a sweeping rebuke of the politics in Washington, analysts say, and the results in Pennsylvania mirrored the national trends.” | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

‘No Regrets’: U.S. Rep. Scott Perry Addresses PA Election Loss. “U.S. Rep. Scott Perry has conceded his defeat to Janelle Stelson in the hotly-contested race for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District. Perry did not make himself available to reporters after the results came in Tuesday night. But Wednesday morning, he issued a statement.” | PennLive

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State

2.   What Will Pennsylvania Democrats Do With a Trifecta in Harrisburg?

“Roughly 12 hours after winning 26 seats in the Pennsylvania Senate, thus clinching a Democratic trifecta in state government, a crowd of party members stood on the Capitol steps to celebrate “a very good day” following a successful midterm election.

“It is now the obligation of all of my colleagues to recognize that with this honor comes tremendous responsibility to govern well, to govern thoughtfully, to govern pragmatically,” said House Majority Leader Matt Bradford. “This is an opportunity that we will not fail. We cannot fail.”” | Penn Capital-Star

Elsewhere

Shapiro, Democrats Say New Trifecta Will Deliver Minimum Wage Increase, Transit Funding, and More. “Hot off winning a trifecta for the first time in more than 30 years, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Democratic legislative leaders laid out a vision for rapid action they say will offer relief amid rising costs and restore trust in government.” | Spotlight PA

What Dem Control Means For Pennsylvania. “For the first time in more than 30 years, Dems can push through their long wish list of priorities, including raising the minimum wage and protecting abortion rights, without Republican interference.” | Axios Pittsburgh

PA GOP Assessing What Went Wrong in Wake of Blue Wave During Midterms. “As Democrats spent the day celebrating their wins, many Republicans are still wondering where it went wrong.” | abc27

Provisional Ballots Likely to Determine if Chambers or Miller Wins 41st House District Race. “The race between Democrat Brad Chambers and Republican incumbent Rep. Brett Miller in Pennsylvania’s 41st House District teeters on a 41-vote difference, and the final outcome could be at least a week or two away.” | LNP

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Around The Commonwealth

3.  Bucks County Democrats Tried For Years to Unseat Brian Fitzpatrick. Here’s How Bob Harvie Finally Did

“Bob Harvie was still processing.

On Wednesday morning, Bucks County’s new representative-elect waded through congratulatory text messages (four hours later and he hasn’t made a dent), fielded a phone call from an excited Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davisand attended a meeting with colleagues on the county commissioners board.

Shortly after midnight, Harvie, a Democrat, became the the first Democrat to win Bucks County’s congressional seat since 2008 — an historic outcome, toppling one of the most entrenched Republican dynasties in the country. ” | Philadelphia Inquirer

Elsewhere

Council Will Choose Cognetti’s Replacement Once She Resigns As Mayor To Enter Congress. “With Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti on her way to Congress, the City Council will have the job of replacing her once she resigns.” | WVIA

PA Democratic Trifecta Could Mean More Funding For Schools and SEPTA — If Harrisburg Can Find the Money. “For the city’s leaders, the most transformative change could be what Gov. Josh Shapiro has said will be his No. 1 priority: raising the state minimum wage for the first time since 2009.” | Philadelphia Inquirer

Data Center Disgust Played Significant Role in State Senate Flip, Winners Say. “One day after voters unleashed a ballot-box thunderstorm that washed away four incumbent Republican senators, Brian Wrightson made it clear that data center disgust helped shape his victory over one of them.” | The Center Square

Voter Turnout Was Down Across Southeastern Pennsylvania Compared to the 2022 Midterms. “At least in Southeastern Pennsylvania, the blue wave was not fueled by a surge in voter turnout.” | Philadelphia Inquirer

Marino Stepping Down as Lycoming County DA. “Lycoming County District Attorney Tom Marino is stepping down from his role effective Friday “due to a combination of health reasons,” a letter he wrote to county residents and released this week said.” | WVIA

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Editorial

4.  What Do You Think?

• Three Lessons From the Midterm Wipeout | Broad + Liberty
• What is the Message of PA’s Trifecta? | Tribune-Review
• For Trump, the Midterms Delivered What Congress Wouldn’t: Accountability | Philadelphia Inquirer
• Dems Must Capitalize on Momentum to Build Brighter Future | MediaNews Group NEPA
• Pennsylvania Democrats Now Have Power to Push Forward on Election Reform, Marijuana Legalization and Minimum Wage Increases | Daniel Mallinson
• Pittsburgh’s Shopping List in Democrat-Controlled Harrisburg | Brandon McGinley
• The GOP Collapse in the States | Wall Street Journal
• Voters Just Changed the Trajectory of the Supreme Court | Matt Ford
• Referendum or Turnout Problem? GOP Insiders Split Over Who’s to Blame for Midterm Losses | Reagan Reese
• The GOP is Wounded, Not Dead — But Recovery Has to Start Now | Hugh Hewitt
• A Blue Wave Swept the U.S., But There’s Still Work to Do on Shore | The Daily Collegian

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1 Thing

5.   The Wait Is Over. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake Is Available Now

“Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake is officially here, bringing one of the most beloved games of all time to the Nintendo Switch 2 with modern visuals, updated gameplay and new quality improvements.

The release is simultaneous with the launch of the limited-edition Zelda 40th Anniversary Switch 2 console, making it a huge week for Zelda and Nintendo fans. If you’re looking to jump back into Zelda’s adventures, now’s the time to buy, as we expect this to sell out quickly.” | CNET

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