The First Read — April 22, 2009

Good Morning!

Every Monday-Thursday morning, pa2010.com compiles the most important political news of the day, from newspapers to the blogosphere and back. Enjoy this edition.

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MontCo GOP feud could spill into Lt. Gov. race
BLUE BELL—For more than a year, Montgomery County’s Republican Commissioners have been at each other’s throats politically. Commissioners Jim Matthews and Bruce Castor were elected by county voters in late 2007, promising the GOP control over county policy even as is struggled to hold onto voters. But Matthews infuriated Republicans by shunning Castor, instead forming a power-sharing agreement with Democratic Commissioner Joe Hoeffel. This has effectively locked Castor out of power, and embroiled the county GOP in bitter dispute. Soon, that toxic climate—and the vitriol Matthews and Castor regularly hurl at each other—could move to a statewide stage, with both Commissioners interested in the party’s nomination for Lieutenant Governor. Read More

Dravosburg Democrat Kortz to seek U.S. Senate seat
HARRISBURG — “I’m the underdog, no doubt about it.” That’s what state Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, said today about his chances to become the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010. But long shot or not, he’s decided to run for the seat now held by U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who’s expected to face a tough re-election primary race against two Republicans, former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey of the Lehigh Valley and Peg Luksik of Johnstown. Read More

Torsella building high-profile team
Already well on his way to building a considerable campaign war chest, Democratic Senate candidate Joe Torsella is also putting together a political team that could prove difficult for other candidates to match. Read More

Chairman Gleason’s big day
You have to wonder state GOP Chairman Rob Gleason knew exactly what was going to happen when he sat down with my buddy (and good friend of the site), PoliticsPA reporter Alex Roarty. Read More

Sestak considers running for Senate
“I am the 7th District representative, and that is the focus of my attention,” Congressman Sestak said. “Beyond that, I have made no decision about my future.” That’s a little less firm than previous statements outright denying any higher aspirations, but still not exactly an announcement of candidacy. Read More

Former Ridge fundraiser accused of embezzlement
HARRISBURG — A woman who was former Gov. Tom Ridge’s top political fundraiser until she was accused of stealing from his campaign faces new allegations that she embezzled more than $1 million from her employer. Read More

Lackawanna Commish. Corey O’Brien mulling higher office
Less than halfway through his first term, Lackawanna County Commissioner Corey D. O’Brien said Monday he is “very seriously” considering challenging Congressma Paul Kanjorski (D-11) for his seat next year. Read More

Specter’s Santorum Syndrome
In a Voices piece, longtime Inquirer columnist Tom Ferrick writes of the similarites between Rick Santorum’s political position in 2006 and the conundrum now facing Senator Arlen Specter. Read More

A Dem’s primary goal: No 2010 fight
Take the year off and chill. That’s the message to Pennsylvania Democrats from state Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney, who said that, if things seem quiet, it’s intentional. “Our goal in 2010 is not to have a primary,” Rooney said. “Our goal is to come together as a party and, in the meantime, let the other side beat the tar out of one another.” Read More

Specter, Casey support Scranton-NY rail service
Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey have joined with New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand in urging President Barack Obama to support passenger rail service between Scranton, Pennsylvania and Binghamton, N.Y. and New York City. Read More

Murphy’s late-campaign spending spending makes Senate race less likely
A month before winning his second term, Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8) was flush with over $2.2 million in campaign cash. But then he went on a late-campaign spending spree, burning through cash in the final weeks before Election Day. He spent more than $1.5 million between the beginning of October and the end of November, according to campaign finance data. Most of that was spent only in October, including more than $1 million on advertising and more than $100,000 on direct-mail. He ended up beating Republican Tom Manion by about 15 points. Read More

Gaming board chairwoman to leave, sources say
HARRISBURG – Mary DiGiacomo Colins, the chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board since 2007, is expected to step down from the agency within the next two months, according to sources familiar with the matter. Read More

Feds: Pa. school board member took bribes
WILKES-BARRE—A northeastern Pennsylvania school board member was charged Tuesday with taking bribes in exchange for using his influence to decide who got teaching jobs and district contracts. Read More

Morrisville Borough manager stepping down
Morrisville’s top administrator for the borough and the Morrisville Municipal Authority is retiring later this spring. Read More