Dan Konieczka for Judge Mailings

Here is a mailing that was sent to Republicans by Dan Konieczka. I wonder if he knows anything about judge elections in Allegheny County if he didn't try for the Democratic Endorsement and also is putting effort in to the Republican nomination without a mailing to Democrats.

His website can be found here.

D. Raja Mailings

Here are the 3 mailings that Republicans have received from Republican D. Raja. His website can be found here.

Team 4: Traffic Ticket Scam Uncovered In District Court - Team 4 News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

Team 4: Traffic Ticket Scam Uncovered In District Court - Team 4 News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh

How did they not mention the McCandless magistrate's name (William Wagner) in this article? I'm not sure if the magistrates have any authority over the system this employee was skimming from, but I'm still surprised they didn't use Wagner's name. Especially since he is up for re-election this year and has two opponents.

Local Election - Shaler Township Commissioners

Here is the list of candidates for the Shaler Township Commissioners:

Shaler Ward 1 Commissioner:

Democratic Candidates: Edward Duss* & Wayne Skelley
Republican Candidate: No one filed

Shaler Ward 3:

Democratic Candidate: N0 one filed
Republican Candidate:David Shutter*

Shaler Ward 5:

Democratic Candidate: No one filed
Republican Candidate: Susan Fisher*

Shaler Ward 7:

Democratic Candidate: No one filed
Republican Candidate: Bill Cross*

*Incumbent

Shaler Township's last property tax increase was 2009 and before that it was in 1988 when Governor Tom Corbett was a commissioner in Shaler Township. The millage rate is 3.05.

All 4 incumbents voted for the tax increase in 2009. For how many people are upset about taxes, I find it surprising how many local candidates don't have candidates running against them after they have made a vote to increase taxes. Where is the Democratic Party in Shaler Township that they can't find candidates in 3 races.

Politico's Altmire/Critz Redistricting Scenario

Well, not surprisingly, the guy in D.C. got it wrong.

As any reader of the blog knows, I am a big fan of Congressman Altmire and keep up on news about him. Today's article was from a guy named Dan Hirschhorn in D.C. After reading the article, you can tell that there is no way that he lives in Pittsburgh. The summary of his article was this: Critz and Altmire will face each other in a 2012 primary because of redistricting. This is a favorable scenario for Critz as no one likes Altmire - including the party and labor. He then gets a quote from a guy that, upon looking him up, doesn't live anywhere near Pittsburgh. Mr. Hanna is someone that almost ran against Critz in the Special Election to fill Rep. Murtha's seat. He also gets a quote from a guy named Jack Shea who just doesn't like Altmire and tried to mount a run against Altmire in 2010. No quotes from the countless elected officials in Beaver and Lawrence Counties that stand behind Congressman Altmire.

There are lots of problems with Hirschhorn's assessment, though, and it was probably one of the worst articles I've read about the redistricting concepts so far. Not because of any damning news, but it was poorly written, poorly research, and just really far-fetched. First, Hirschhorn doesn't mention that this map was drawn up by someone who doesn't work for either party or the legislature. It was a random drawing by some kid who doesn't even live in Pennsylvania. While it's possible (and I guess somewhat likely) that this could occur, there are lots of situations that could play out. Writing an article that is bad news for anyone based on a color-by-number map is reckless and irresponsible. However, freedom of the press... write whatever you want, Dan.

Second, Hirschhorn writes that the geography would be favorable towards Critz. My first thought is, what is he smoking? So, I'm not sure what map Dan is looking at, but it appears that the current 4th Congressional District will get rid of northern Lawrence (all Republican), southern Butler/Cranberry (all Republican), and keep the areas where Congressman Altmire does really well - southern Lawrence, Beaver County, northern Allegheny County, and the AK Valley. The district would then go into Westmoreland County (where Altmire grew up) and reach out to Johnstown. Johnstown would be one of the smaller towns of the district. Congressman Altmire actually helped Critz in the AK Valley last year because of how well known Altmire is in his hometown. I'm not sure how this is map is a disadvantage to Altmire. Roughly 85% of his current district would remain the same and actually be stronger Democratically.

Third, the party and labor supported Arlen Specter. As much as I thought Arlen Specter would be our best candidate to win in November my question is: What is Mr. Specter doing now? He's retired. There is no big labor vote the distinguishes a difference between Critz and Altmire so why would the labor base of Beaver and Lawrence County abandon Altmire now?

Fourth, one of Dan's big points is that Altmire voted against the health care bill. Dan pulled a Tea Party line and claimed that 'Altmire infuriated many Democrats by publicly agonizing over his vote.' He didn't infuriated me, and I am glad that he waited until the actual bill was printed before he just blindly listened to Party leadership. Second, there is no mention of Critz's stance of being against the health care bill.

Overall, bad journalism. Bad research. I'm a progressive that understands Western Pennsylvania, and I think that Altmire is the only Democrat who could win in this district in the general election.

In full disclosure, you can read the article here: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/52167.html

North Hills Exposure: Candidate list for upcoming election of Ross Towns...

North Hills Exposure: Candidate list for upcoming election of Ross Towns...: "After an extended period of searching online and coming up empty, it became apparent that the media has not yet reported on the candida..."

George Matta?? For County Controller???? Are You Kidding Me?

I couldn't keep up with the plethora of mail that was forwarded to me from Democratic Committee members over the past few weeks. Most people were able to see the hard hitting anti George Matta letter sent from Valerie McDonald Roberts thanks to the Post Gazette Early Returns blog. I know the endorsement is over, but I haven't heard much about the mail piece above.

I thought the mailer would be interesting to share as the three candidates appear to be continuing forward with or without the endorsement. I have to wonder if this post card is the reason the Chelsa Wagner jumped ahead of the assumed favorite, Matta for the endorsement last Sunday.

I have real issues with how this mailing was done, even if the content is something that I believe is important. I think we need to know who is paying for political mail like this. I don't like secret rumors and political attacks when it comes to elections if we don't know the source.

So who do we blame? Was it Chelsa Wagner or Valerie McDonald Roberts that sent this post card out? Your guess is as good as mine.