This week’s biggest Winners & Losers

Philly District Attorney Larry Krasner – often the subject of Republican ire for his progressive prosecuting priorities – defeated his most well-funded and toughest challenger yet in Patrick Dugan, who was backed by the powerful Building Trades. After the race was called, Krasner even embraced the “three-peat” mantra mentioned by his entourage, saying Philly is used to having things Kansas City wants. 

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams was the winner of the May 20 Democratic primary for mayor in the state capital – but just barely. In a crowded primary race that included City Treasurer Dan Miller, Harrisburg City Councilmember Lamont Jones, activist Tone Cook and perennial candidate Lewis Butts, Williams eked out a win over Miller by just 83 votes, demonstrating that every vote matters.

After winning the primary election for Downingtown mayor Tuesday night, Erica Deuso is one step closer to becoming the first openly transgender person elected mayor in the commonwealth. Deuso, a longtime Democratic advocate who works in management at a pharmaceutical company, defeated the borough’s former main street manager, Barry Cassid,y by a 62-38 margin. She’ll have to defeat Republican candidate Richard Bryant, a retired cybersecurity expert, in November to oversee the 8,000-person town.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey was unable to secure the Democratic nomination for mayor on May 20, falling to Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor, who will likely become the city’s next mayor – Pittsburgh hasn’t elected a Republican to the mayor’s office since the 1930s. With 96% of the vote in, Gainey trailed O’Connor by a little over 3,300 votes; he congratulated O’Connor on his win on election night.

The alleged “Delco Pooper” was in court for the now-viral case of a driver defecating on the hood of another person’s car. Christina Solometo, whose attorney says she has faced threats since the alleged April incident, heard testimony from the lone witness, Greg Ferrari, a 17-year-old who filmed the incident. Ferrari shared the video with a group chat before it made its way into the news cycle.

The Philadelphia Inquirer was one of multiple newspapers that made national headlines this week after running an AI-generated summer reading list that included fake book titles. The outlet said its newsroom staff had no involvement in the production of the 56-page supplement produced by King Features. Inquirer Editor and Senior Vice President Gabriel Escobar said the Inky is examining ways to “improve the vetting of content” in future supplements.