First Read PA – Nov. 7, 2023

WEATHER: Philadelphia: mostly cloudy, high of 70; Harrisburg: mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, high of 71; Pittsburgh: cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, high of 64.

FROM CITY & STATE:

* With so much at stake today – and so many decisions to make – City & State has your last-minute guide for what to watch for on Election Day. 

* In a new op-ed, Frank Nemshick, the owner of the Harrisburg-based Accord Restoration, writes that the state faces a growing need to invest in its water infrastructure. 

NEW THIS MORNING:

* Voters will head to the polls today to select a new justice for an open seat on the state Supreme Court that will have major implications for abortion and voting rights, The Associated Press reports.

* In addition to Philadelphia’s race for mayor, voters will also decide on candidates running for Philadelphia City Council – a battle that has pitted Republicans against the Working Families Party, Billy Penn reports.

* Voters in the western part of the state will choose between Democrat Sara Innamorato and Republican Joe Rockey for Allegheny County executive today, and they will also weigh in on who should be the city’s next district attorney, the Pittsburgh Union Progress reports.

* New Jersey political power broker George Norcross III was reportedly thrown out of a luxury box at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday after displaying a large U.S.-Israel flag, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

* Spending in the state’s race for an open seat on the state Supreme Court surpassed $16.5 million – a figure seven times greater than what has been spent in the race for Allegheny County executive, Politics PA reports.

* U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has introduced legislation that aims to cut off the illegal transport of fentanyl into the country through anti-money laundering policies and sanctions, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports.

* Former Philadelphia labor leader John Dougherty’s federal embezzlement trial is underway and could serve as a referendum on Dougherty’s leadership of the union he helmed for nearly three decades, the Inquirer reports.

* Erie County Democratic Party Chair Jim Wertz resigned as chair of the party today and is reportedly considering running against GOP state Sen. Dan Laughlin, the Erie Times-News reports.

 * Officials in Lancaster County say they are confident with election operations heading into today’s contests, WGAL reports.

* Since 2010, 164 suicides have occurred in state parks, prompting legislators to introduce a number of potential solutions, including increased mental health funding and new phone surcharges to support the state’s suicide hotline, PennLive reports.

EDITORIAL PAGES:

* The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board has both of its interviews with Philadelphia mayoral candidates Cherelle Parker and David Oh available for the public to view. * The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that The Frick made the right call by rescheduling an Islamic art exhibition after initially indefinitely postponing the event. 

* The Delaware Valley Journal has an op-ed from Emily Greene, deputy state director for Americans For Prosperity Pennsylvania, who writes that state legislators should take action to prevent the state from joining a regional carbon pricing initiative – for good.  

NATIONAL POLITICS:

* Ohio is the only state in the country this cycle to consider an abortion-rights ballot question, and voters will be asked whether the state should undo a 2019 law passed that bans abortions at around six weeks into pregnancy, the AP reports. *  Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has released a new ad that targets both Democrats and Republicans on foreign policy – a sign that Hogan, who chairs the No Labels organization – could soon mount a third-party bid for president, Axios reports. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Dawn Keezer, director of the Pittsburgh Film Office … Want to wish someone a happy birthday in our newsletter? Email their name, job title and upcoming birthday to editor@cityandstatepa.com.

TODAY’S SKED:

9 p.m. – Pennsylvania Secretary Al Schmidt holds an election update press conference, Capitol Media Center, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here. 

11 p.m. – Schmidt holds an additional update press conference, Capitol Media Center, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here. 

KICKER: 

“There’s probably a case to be made that economic support and social support during the pandemic was very concerted in a way that we don’t normally see.” – Dan Mallinson, professor of public affairs at Penn State Harrisburg, via PennLive