Democrats throwing mud in primary may hurt efforts in the fall

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa For a number of weeks, I’ve been wanting to write a column about the dysfunction in the Democratic race for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania — but every time I’d be poised to do so, the Republicans in either or both the gubernatorial or U.S. Senate race would do something so out there it could not be ignored. But the fact of the matter is while the GOP...

Bartos announces bid for U.S. Senate

Jeff Bartos Jeff Bartos, small business owner and co-founder of the Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund, today announced his candidacy for the United States Senate. In a statement and announcement video, both included below, Bartos pledges to be a fighter for all Pennsylvanians and do what it takes to help keep our nation moving forward. “During the Trump Administration, millions of Pennsylvanians who had felt...

Stern announces run for U.S. Senate

Everett Stern WEST CHESTER — Everett Stern, a whistleblower who has spent a career exposing fraud and corruption and bringing to light the presence of dangerous fringe groups in America, announced today that he is a candidate for the United States Senate. Stern, 36, a Republican, is running for the seat being vacated by Senator Pat Toomey in 2022.   “Protecting and defending the interests...

Fetterman formally announces run for U.S. Senate

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman BRADDOCK — Literally the biggest thing in Pennsylvania politics — 6-foot-8 Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, made it official Monday, formally announcing his run for U.S. Senate in 2022. The seat will be open with the retirement of U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R). Fetterman, gifted in his use of social media, had started an exploratory committee before filing formal campaign paperwork late...

No peace, love and understanding, it is time for a reckoning

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa What happened Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol had the feeling of the inevitable if you were willing to pay attention. Those of us who issued the alarm years ago were dismissed as having “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” We were ignored right up until the point where Donald Trump incited a riot and attempted a coup d’etat as Congress moved to certify the...

Hawley is a lying weasel when it comes to Pennsylvania’s election

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa New Year, same old lie. I really wanted to write something hopeful about 2021, about how it would be a better year and that maybe some of the people acting like felon-trainees in politics and the local business community would see the light and start acting like reasonable human beings again. Nope. New Year, same old @#$%. You may have seen Donald Trump’s...

Endorsement: Bob Casey Jr. for U.S. Senate

In looking at this year’s race for U.S. Senate, Pennsylvania has a choice between incumbent, two-term U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. and U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta. For most of his two terms in the Senate, Casey has been a moderate (like his father, he is opposed to legalized abortion, although he has strongly supported access to birth control and family planning services) and is often called out by his...

Unintended consequences and Newton’s Third Law

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times While Democrats wept over special election results this week, U.S. Senate Republicans — in secret — put together their version of the health care reform, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, which apart from some minor details, appears to be a lot like the house health care plan, the American Health Care Act: it cuts benefits for the poor, could lead to big rate...

Letter: To save public education, Senate must reject DeVos

To The Editor, When describing public education in America our President-Elect Donald Trump compared our schools to third world countries. To fix the education system at a national level, he has chosen Betsy DeVos as education secretary. The former leader of the Michigan Republican Party, DeVos’ only contribution to education policy has been advocating for school vouchers and charter schools. Conservatives...

Toomey makes pitch for reelection, expects strong turnout

Hits opponent McGinty on taxes, Iran deal U.S. Senator Pat Toomey speaks with supporters immediately after his campaign event Monday morning at the Classic Diner in Malvern. By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times MALVERN — A clearly energized Pat Toomey made the case for his reelection Monday morning in front of an overflow gathering at the Classic Diner, as the latest news headlines from the presidential...