This week’s biggest Winners & Losers

He may not have been on the ballot in 2024, but Lt. Gov. Austin Davis still managed to win an election this year. The Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association elected Davis as chair of the organization this week, meaning Davis will head the DLGA’s executive committee, the mission of which is to elect Democrats to lieutenant governor offices across the country.

The former general counsel for Pennsylvania's Chamber of Business and Industry has a new job: As of this week, Megan Martin is the chief operating officer and general counsel of the Commonwealth Foundation, the Harrisburg-based libertarian think tank. The Widener law graduate has worked in all three branches of state government, as well as the Department of the Navy.

The Allegheny County executive scored a victory this week when the Allegheny County Council agreed to a 36% property tax increase, ending a two-month debate. Sara Innamorato had initially sought a higher increase for the county's first tax hike in over 10 years – but the compromise budget will avert layoffs, bolster the county's "rainy day" fund and restore Department of Human Services monies that will be matched by state and federal dollars.

The annual Pennsylvania Society gathering in New York City may have a more security-conscious undertone this year after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead on Wednesday outside the New York Hilton Midtown – the same hotel slated to hold the Pennsylvania Society’s annual dinner on Saturday, Dec. 9. Thompson’s murder sparked a manhunt for the perpetrator. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Pennsylvania Society’s annual dinner will be held as planned. 

A lawsuit filed in federal court alleges that a man died of opioid withdrawal in a Philadelphia police station because officers ignored his calls for help while he was in custody for more than 48 hours without being charged for a crime. The suit claims that Jonathan Lau, a 42-year-old from York County, told police he was addicted to heroin and suffering from withdrawal after he was arrested on suspicion of theft. The suit said Lau languished for more than two days while officers and a nurse did nothing to help him. 

Eighteen gunshots and a five-count indictment could cost this Carrick resident even more years behind bars. A federal grand jury indicted Drew Gordon on charges of attempted murder and assaulting a federal officer after he fired shots at a Drug Enforcement Administration agent who later found a large stash of fentanyl at Gordon’s home. Gordon, who fired at an undercover agent about four months ago, faces a maximum sentence of at least 20 years to life in prison, a fine of up to $8 million, or both.