Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
City & State
It’s Ls all around for local journalism lately. After the May 19 primary elections in Pennsylvania, USA Today published an Allegheny County-focused story stating that Democrats had succeeded in efforts to “oust Republican incumbents” – though no Republicans were actually ousted in the county. That comes just days after the Associated Press laid off longtime state Capitol reporter Mark Scolforo after more than two decades of aggressive, honest coverage – a devastating blow to journalism in the commonwealth.
Keep reading for more winners and losers!
Democratic congressional nominees -
A slate of congressional candidates backed by Gov. Josh Shapiro found success in Tuesday’s primary, with PA-1 candidate Bob Harvie, PA-7 candidate Bob Brooks and PA-10 candidate Janelle Stelson all advancing to the general election in races for seats that Democrats hope to flip. Additionally, progressive candidate and state Rep. Chris Rabb won a four-way battle for the Democratic nomination in PA-3, which all but guarantees Rabb will represent the deep-blue district come next January.
Jason Richey -
Pennsylvania’s newly minted GOP gubernatorial candidate, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, has a newly minted running mate in attorney Jason Richey, the chair of Allegheny County’s Republican Committee and a former Beaver County steelworker. Richey’s win may lose Garrity the extraterrestrial vote: He beat out John Ventre, a perpetual Westmoreland County candidate best known for his involvement with a UFO organization.
Philly’s ballot questions -
Philadelphia’s ballot measures passed with flying colors. Voters approved two ballot questions during the May primary, giving the go-ahead to create a city-run retirement savings program – known as Philly Saves – and to codify the city’s Office of Youth Ombudsperson to oversee youth services. With Philly Saves, private-sector workers whose employers don’t offer a retirement plan can save 3% to 6% of their paychecks in a city-sponsored retirement account.
Philly Democratic City Committee -
Philadelphia’s May 19 primary has the progressive left calling the status quo a sinking ship. State Rep. Chris Rabb’s win over state Sen. Sharif Street after the city’s Democratic establishment backed Street was a clear rebuke of the party by the nation’s bluest district. Not only did Rabb defeat Street and Ala Stanford, whom Dwight Evans endorsed to succeed him, but he did so in a landslide of nearly 15 points.
DNC -
This week, the Democratic National Committee released an incomplete, widely-critized autopsy of the party’s performance in the 2024 election cycle – a report that DNC Chair Ken Martin said doesn’t meet his standards. The DNC also congratulated Chris Rabb for his win in the 3rd Congressional District, calling him an “accomplished, five-term state Senator who has delivered real results for northwest Philadelphia.” The only problem? Rabb serves in the state House, and has never served in the state Senate. *facepalm*
Establishment candidates -
In addition to the ultimate party insider, state Sen. Sharif Street – the former state Democratic chair and son of a former mayor – an eyebrow-raising four state House incumbents lost their primaries as well: Democrats Ana Tiburcio, Greg Vitali and Keith Harris, and Republican Donald “Bud” Cook. And in PA-7, first-time candidate Bob Brooks handily bested the race’s only established politician, former Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure Jr.
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