Why Democrats flock to him | Morning Newsletter
Plus, David McCormick v. Bob Casey (and John Fetterman)
The Morning Newsletter
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Most of your Wednesday will be sunny with a high of 84, but be prepared for dense fog in the morning.
Over the last two decades, Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny has quietly become one of the most influential political figures in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Our lead story chronicles his rise.
— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Most voters were introduced to Sean Kilkenny last year in a John Fetterman campaign ad during the Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race.
But for over 20 years, he’s worked to establish himself as a major power player in the suburbs. He’s helped build the Democratic Party and has carved out a niche for himself as a go-to lawyer for municipal governments.
As he is now seeking a third term as sheriff, his clout only continues to increase as the party has become more reliant on suburban voters to win statewide elections.
His stock includes Kilkenny Law which now represents 30 local government entities and generated $2.4 million in revenue last year. Many of those governing boards flipped to Democrats during the suburban backlash to Donald Trump’s presidency. His own political activity fueled that shift, too. According to an Inquirer analysis, he was the sixth biggest Democratic donor from the Philadelphia suburbs.
Continue reading to see how the savvy political operator rose to this level.
When David McCormick launched his Senate run last month, the first image of his introductory video was Democratic Sen. John Fetterman.
It wasn’t Sen. Bob Casey, whom McCormick is hoping to challenge next fall.
The choice suggests that Fetterman will loom over the 2024 Senate race. While Fetterman remains popular with the Democratic base and could help Casey in the election, the GOP hopes to use him as a cautionary tale to motivate their own.
In their own words: “Now the voters see what happens when you really don’t pay attention and you don’t vote smart for our state,” Pennsylvania GOP chair Lawrence Tabas said. “Fetterman got in. They control the Senate. Chuck Schumer said it’s OK to wear shorts and hoodies. Voters want adults who are responsible to be running the government.”
Read more to understand the Republican party’s strategy.
What you should know today
There’s a secret system in Pennsylvania’s prison system that keep inmates isolated indefinitely. Prisoners have sued to be released and for damages.
The Perkiomen Valley School District decided to bar transgender students from using bathrooms aligned with their gender identities.
Philadelphia police have identified a person of interest in the killing of local journalist Josh Kruger.
Last year, Jeanette Limas was a contestant on the reality TV show, Making The Cut. Now, she’s designing her wins in Philadelphia.
Philly broke ground for the first phase of the new 10-acre waterfront park in Bridesburg.
Philadelphians who work the most in-demand jobs are paid more than the national average, but still less than in those in other nearby East Coast cities.
Drexel received a $20 million grant to coordinate research on how to address health inequities around the country.
🧠 Trivia time 🧠
When did the Phillies first reach the World Series?
Hint: This is not the year they won.
A) 1910
B) 1915
C) 1980
D) 2008
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
👀 Watching: What’s next after Kevin McCarthy was ousted as speaker of the House.
🍕Craving: The sausage pizza from Marc Vetri’s Pizzeria Salvy in Craig LaBan’s latest review.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram 🧩
Hint: Dancing On My Own
MULCT TACOS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Hope Riley, who correctly guessed Tuesday’s answer: Morris Arboretum.
Photo of the day
Thanks for hanging out this morning. I’m off for my morning walk. I’ll be back with the latest news tomorrow.