Pa State Rep. Bob Freeman Raises $66k in Quest For Re-Election: Also Benefitting From Ray Lahoud

According to his latest report with the State, filed Friday, State Rep. Bob Freeman has raised $66,000 in his bid for re-election to the 136th Legislative district. He also reports $24k worth of in-kind contributions. Going into the final days of the campaign, he was sitting on nearly $63k.

His most recent report lists $26.5 in contributions from unions and fellow legislators. In-kind contributions, mostly from the Pa House Dem Campaign Commitee, appear to have funded at least three mailers. 

What about his opponent, Taiba Sultana? She has filed, but her report is still unavailable on the state website. The state elections office informs me that data from some reports is still being imported. When I see her report, I will tell you about it. 

I can tell you that an independent expenditure committee has been formed in opposition to Sultana. This committee, formed by Ray Lahoud and funded with $45,000 out of his own pocket, is exposing her as she should be exposed. 

Lahoud, incidentally, is an immigration attorney and knows all about the plight of immigrants in this country. He needs no lectures from Sultana. 

131st: Bowser Blows Simmons Away

Bev Plosa-Bowser is a retired Air Force Colonel who served her country for 30 years after her appointment to the prestigious Air Force Academy in its first ever class to accept women. She's a combat veteran who earned a Bronze Star while serving in Iraq. She holds two Masters degrees in Public Administration and Political Management. After leaving the service, she opened a Bed and Breakfast and started a small real estate investment firm. If anyone is qualified to serve you in the state house, she certainly is.

She's running against Justin Simmons, an entrenched incumbent who thinks you're pretty stupid

Simmons has previously said he would term limit himself. He didn't. Then he was going to run for Lieutenant Governor, but didn't. Then he was going to run for Congress and drain the swamp. But he backed out right after his shitty attendance record (he missed 500 votes) was exposed. He wasn't going to seek re-election, but he is.

Amazingly, this opportunist who has never served his nation has the nerve to slam her for offering nothing but "political promises."

Pa State Rep. Will Not Stop Car for Protesters

Aaron Bernstine is a State Representative from the western part of the state, representing a gerrymandered district that consists of portions of three different counties. He's a "conservative" who just voted to close a state budget gap by borrowing $1 billion.  Of course, he is part of the Donald Trump personality cult. He also describes himself as a "Christian," a word perverted by people who proudly proclaim to be all about Jebus while hating anyone who is different. Bernstine stands for the important Christian principle of vehicular homicide, otherwise known as murder, if done to run down a protester.

As many of you will recall, Heather Heyer was mowed down by a pro-Trump white supremacist on August 11 in Charlottesville.  Though the grass has yet to grow on her grave, this is what "Christian" Bernstine tweeted about protesters who blocked traffic in St. Louis last week:

"If anyone EVER tries to stop my car on a highway with negative intentions... I will not stop under any conditions."

When taken to task, he doubled down with this:

"Feel free to call my office and let me know if you think it is ok to refuse to stop if thugs try to stop me or my family on a highway."

And this:

"Difference between me and these snowflakes is that I won't be assaulted in name of "free speech"

And even this:

"Wrong.... I'm saying when thugs try to stop cars and threaten drivers trying to go to work."

These offensive have actually trumped Trump, at least within the last week. although Trump has everyone beat over the long haul.

The Pennsylvania Democratic party has asked Bernstine to apologize, like that's gonna' happen. Bernstine's Republican leaders will no doubt get him his own engraved hood, along with a year's supply of tiki torches.

They may also advance a legislative proposal that already exists in six other states to shield drivers who negligently hit protesters who obstruct traffic. This has been criticized by the ACLU as a "hit and kill" bill, but defended as a way to protect drivers from liability when a protester darts into traffic.

183rd Update: Judge Sets Aside Grammes Nomination Petition

Judge Hannah Leavitt has sustained a challenge to the nomination petition filed by state house candidate Marc Grammes. He neglected to file a Statement of Financial Interests with the Ethics Commission when he filed his papers, which courts consider a "fatal defect."

Cindy Miller, who is seeking the Republican nomination as an heir apparent to Julie Harhart, has also challenged Zachary Mako, another Republican. That matter is still pending.

There's also a challenge to Democrat Terri Powell challenge, but it does not appear that Miller is involved in that dispute.

LV State House Race Lowdown

Though an anti-incumbent sentiment is definitely on the rise, the following Lehigh Valley state house representatives are running unopposed: Steve Samuelson (135th); Bob Freeman (136th); Joe Emrick (137th); Marcia Hahn (138th); and Ryan MacKenzie.

Contested races are more fun.

Julie Harhart's seat in the 183rd is up for grabs. The Republican nomination is sought by Marc Grammes, Cynthia Miller and Zachary Mako. Democrat Phillips Armstrong, Jr.and Terri Powell are seeking their party's nod. There's blood in the water.

Justin Simmons is being challenged by fellow Republican Bill Coyle in the 131st. No Democrat has announced. Bill Coyle, who thinks he's more Republican than Simmons, can start by explaining why he only votes now and then, and never in primaries..

Gary Day is facing Democrat George Stephen Nicholas in the 187th. There are about three Democrats in that district, including Nicholas.

Peter Schweyer, who represents Allentown's new District for Latinos, the 22d, is facing an honest-to-goodness Latino. His name is Norberto Dominguez, Jr., and he's even a Democrat. And a community organizer! Schweyer better bone up on his Spanish lessons and start calling Schlossberg his esé.

Mike "Darth Voter" Schlossberg will square off against Republican Ben Long in the 132d.

Dan McNeill will face Republican Dave Molony in the 133rd. Dave has run about 7,000 times for this seat. I think he looks on it as a form of free advertising for his successful accupressure business.

McNeill Withdraws Pay Suspension Proposal

On June 17, State Rep. Dan McNeill proposed a suspension of all pay and per diems to members of both the state legislature and Wolf cabinet if they were unable to cobble together a budget by June 30. He claimed it "is our basic fiduciary duty and a core function of state government to carry out this obligation." Well, there's still no budget, and legislators like Mike Schlossberg took their Summer vacations despite the impasse.

McNeill received exactly Dan received ONE co-sponsor response. Republican Duane Milne, from Chester County. Not ONE Democrat would support the bill, but he did received a ton of negative comments from his colleagues in the land of midnight payraises.

As a result, McNeill has withdrawn his bill.