What’s next for Pennsylvania politics

By Judy J. Beasley Last updated Dec 31, 2022

Expect plenty of sunshine and highs of 55. If you’re still making plans for New Year’s Day, take advantage of the fact that it’s supposed to be exceptionally warm and do something outside.

This is your last newsletter of the year. This is the perfect time to reflect on the huge — and sometimes chaotic — year in Pennsylvania politics.

Our main story follows another year of Pennsylvania in the national spotlight and what to watch in the new year.

If you see this 🔑 in today’s newsletter, it means we’re highlighting our exclusive journalism. You must be subscribed to read these stories.

—Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen[email protected])

Pennsylvania has gotten used to being in the political spotlight and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.

A quick recap: Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro will be the next governor.

John Fetterman’s victory overturned a Senate seat. Nationally, Democrats have now 51 senators who caucus together, including Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, despite her decision to go independent.
Quote from Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, “I’ll be happy when I’m not here — when I’m not mayorbecame a defining moment in his administration which has been widely criticized for failing to respond to the city’s gun violence crisis with sufficient urgency.
City Council members Bobby Henon and Kenyatta Johnson have been charged with unrelated federal bribery. Henon was sentenced. The jury was unable to reach a verdict in the first trial for Johnson and his wife, Dawn Chavous, but they were acquitted in the second.

What’s coming: Surprise wins could give Pennsylvania Democrats control of the State House, according to the prevailing party in the fight for control of the bedroom which was triggered by several vacancies.

Nine Philadelphia mayoral candidates (so far) are seeking the Democratic nomination in the May primary.

Keep reading to learn more about rising stars in the Pennsylvania political world.

Lawyers for Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on Thursday urged Commonwealth Court judges to declare the Republican-led effort to impeach him as legally baseless.

Krasner’s lawyers argued that it was a dangerous attempt to impeach a locally elected Democrat over ideological disagreements, not improper conduct.

The rebuttal: Lawyers for the Republican legislative leaders say the courts have no role in this ongoing process because the House and Senate acted within their constitutional authority in approving articles of impeachment against Krasner.

Republicans accused the district attorney of enacting policies that fueled the city’s shooting crisis. Krasner denied the allegations.

Keep reading for the latest developments in the controversial impeachment effort against Krasner.

Who is the famous wrestler who recently started following dozens of local journalists across the country on Twitter?

A) John Cena

B) Dave Bautista

C) Hulk Hogan

D) None of the above answers

Find out if you know the answer.

🗞️ Reading: The opinions of the last year which caught your attention the most.

❤️ Share: How to do adult friends.

🎆 Provide: Tips for keeping your New Year’s resolution to train more.

Hint: Bethlehem

EFTSESPPE

We will randomly select a reader to shout out here. Send us your own original anagram to decipher if you wish. Write to us if you know the answer. Kudos to Bonnie Coccagna who correctly guessed Thursday’s answer: The Volstead.

And that’s all from me until Wednesday. I will see you here bright and early next year ☀️.