Pa. House Dems Pour More Than $1 Million Into Warren's Bid to Unseat Emrick

I live in Nazareth, where NorCo Council member Jeff Warren (a Democrat) is trying very hard to unseat incumbent Joe Emrick (a Republican) in Pennsylvania's 137th state house district. This district includes the townships of Bethlehem, Hanover (5th ward), Palmer, Upper and Lower Nazareth, and the boroughs of Nazareth and Tatamy. It is supposedly a purple district, but in recent years, the townships have become more Democratic. I believe this is the most competitive state house race in Northampton County. The cascade of mailers and social media ads indicates that both parties are pouring money into this contest. So far, I have received over 40 pieces of mail in this race alone. On Friday, the final campaign finance reports were due before the election. I was able to see Warren's report on Sunday. Emrick's report is still unavailable on the state website, but I should be able to get it on the state or county site on Monday. Until then, let me tell you about Warren's campaign finances.

The House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC) has poured more than $1 million into Jeff Warren's effort to unseat Republican state Rep. Joe Emrick in Pennsylvania's 137th Legislative District, according to Warren's latest campaign finance report. The extraordinary expenditure suggests that House Democrats have identified this Northampton County contest as an important battleground in the November 3 election.

Warren's 75-page Second Friday Pre-Election Report, covering June 9 through October 19, discloses $1,078,837 in in-kind contributions from HDCC, the political organization devoted to electing Democrats to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party provided another $128,324.69 in in-kind assistance. Together, these two Democratic organizations supplied $1,207,161.69 in campaign assistance, accounting for more than 99% of Warren's reported in-kind contributions.

This support dwarfs the $359,078 Warren received in direct monetary contributions during the same reporting period.

Combining cash and in-kind assistance, Warren's campaign reported $1,575,646.77 in contributions between June 9 and October 19. 

That figure does not include a subsequent $11,314.28 contribution from a Massachusetts resident disclosed in an October 20 late-contribution report.

The financial disclosures paint a picture of a legislative race that has attracted resources extending well beyond Northampton County.

### What HDCC's $1 Million Actually Purchased

In-kind contributions are goods or services provided to a political campaign without the campaign itself necessarily paying for them. Here, they are mostly for media. The reported contributions began during the summer with expenditures including $25,000 for media production on July 1 and a series of $8,000 digital media contributions throughout July and August.  They then increased. Individual HDCC entries include $57,500 for media production, $67,385 for linear and digital media, $118,692.50 for media, and three separate contributions of $131,192.50 each for media. 

These in-kind contributions represent approximately 68.5% of Warren's entire $1.576 million in reported monetary and in-kind contributions during this period. For every dollar Warren reported receiving in direct monetary contributions, HDCC supplied approximately $3 in additional campaign assistance. The investment strongly suggests that House Democrats believe Emrick's seat is competitive and worth defending or pursuing with substantial institutional resources.

### Political Committees Dominate Warren's Cash Fundraising

Warren's direct monetary fundraising was also heavily dependent on political organizations. His latest filing identifies $359,078 in monetary contributions, including $241,150 from political committees. That represents approximately 67.2% of all cash contributions received during the reporting period.

The largest disclosed monetary contributor was Philadelphia-based Committee for a Better Tomorrow, which gave Warren $100,000 on August 29. That single contribution represented nearly 28% of his entire monetary fundraising for the reporting period. This committee is made up of Philly-area trial lawyers who oppose attempts to restrict personal injury lawsuits. 

Other major political committee contributors included:

| Contributor | Amount |

|---|---:|

| AFSCME PEOPLE | $25,000 |

| Conservation Voters of PA Action Fund | $25,000 |

| PAC for America's Future | $25,000 |

| PSEA PACE | $15,050 |

| Change PA | $15,000 |

| IBEW Local 375 PAC | $5,000 |

| Climate Cabinet PAC | $5,000 |

| Friends of Matt Bradford | $5,000 |

The contributions reflect substantial support from organized labor, environmental organizations and Democratic political committees. 

AFSCME PEOPLE, PSEA PACE and IBEW Local 375 are among the labor-related political organizations appearing in the filing. 

Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania Action Fund and Climate Cabinet PAC represent another identifiable source of support: organizations interested in environmental and climate-related public policy.

### Out-of-State Contributions Are Substantial

Although Warren wants to represent just one Northampton County legislative district, a significant portion of his campaign contributions comes from outside Pennsylvania. At least $131,889.63 in monetary contributions from individuals and political committees listing addresses outside Pennsylvania.

That represents approximately 36.7% of his $359,078 in monetary receipts. Among the significant out-of-state political contributors are AFSCME PEOPLE and PAC for America's Future, both listing Washington, DC, addresses. Each contributed $25,000. Climate Cabinet PAC, Active Ballot Club General Fund, States Win, Vote Save America and Everytown for Gun Safety are among the other organizations listing addresses outside Pennsylvania. Individual contributions also came from California, Texas, New York, Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington and several other states.

Obviously, this is no longer simply a campaign financed by residents of the legislative district. It has attracted support from organizations and individuals with interests extending beyond Pennsylvania. 

One of many reforms suggested by readers of this blog has been to bar money from outside the area in which candidates are running. 

### Another $11,314 Arrives After Reporting Deadline

Warren's fundraising has continued after the October 19 closing date of his regular pre-election report. 

A separate 24-hour contribution filing identifies an $11,314.28 contribution from Peter Francis of Marion, Massachusetts, received October 20.

### Warren Spends Heavily, Ends Period With $40,539

Despite the extraordinary resources being directed toward his election, Warren's own campaign reported a relatively modest cash balance at the close of the reporting period. 

He began June 9 with $105,285.85. After receiving $359,078 in additional monetary contributions, his campaign had $464,363.85 available. It spent $423,824.58, leaving $40,539.27 on October 19. The campaign reported no outstanding debts. So Warren spent most of the cash available to him during the reporting period.

### A Campaign That Has Changed Dramatically

Warren's previous campaign finance report showed him entering the summer with $105,285.85 in available cash. Emrick, by comparison, had approximately $140,340 available as of June 8, according to the earlier review of his campaign finances. He had a slight edge. Whether this is still true will be determined when I get to his finances.

### Why This Race Matters

The 137th District contest pits Warren, a Democrat, against Emrick, the Republican incumbent.

The House Democratic Campaign Committee's role is especially noteworthy given the importance of individual legislative seats in determining control of the Pennsylvania House. The organization's investment of more than $1 million in a single candidate suggests that Democratic strategists see an opportunity worth pursuing aggressively.

Whether this influx of money translates into sufficient votes to defeat Emrick will be decided November 3. It certainly should help.

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.