The future of the Philly GOP | Morning Newsletter
And the Lehigh Valley millionaire who helped try to overturn the 2020 election.
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The Morning Newsletter
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We’re in for a slightly warmer weather. Expect sunny skies and a high of 70. ☀️
Philly’s Republican Party has watched its power in the city gradually decline for decades as it has become more favorable to Democrats.
But now, the city’s GOP might not be able to hang on to City Council seats reserved for non-Democrats.
Our lead story explores how the Nov. 7 election will be a test for the party.
— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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The Nov. 7 general election is a test for Philadelphia’s Republican Party. It has to fight to keep its presence in City Hall.
Reminder: A major setback for the GOP was four years ago, when Kendra Brooks of the Working Families Party ousted a Republican for an at-large Council seat. She became the first third-party candidate to win in generations.
The Working Families Party is trying to take both seats set aside for non-Democrats. At the same time, Northeast Philly Republican Brian O’Neill is facing one of the most well-funded general election challenges of his decades-long career on Council.
The stakes: If all three Republican candidates don’t win, that means the 115,000 registered Republicans in the city won’t have any representation on Council. That would leave City Commissioner Seth Bluestein as the only Republican in City Hall.
Read on for the party’s new strategy to keep its influence.
In the world of MAGA Republicans and 2020 election deniers, Bill Bachenberg might me the most influential man you’ve never heard about.
The Lehigh Valley millionaire who likes to keep a low profile allegedly spent months secretly funding efforts after the 2020 election to uncover fraud in at least three states, including Pennsylvania.
Bachenberg, the owner of Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays, allegedly also provided a $1 million line of credit to try to prove that the election was stolen from former President Donald Trump. He also chaired Pennsylvania’s slate of fake electors submitted to Congress.
Discover how he has been rapidly expanding his political influence since getting involved in Trump’s 2016 campaign.
What you should know today
Philadelphia police arrested two more suspects for the killing of Officer Richard Mendez. According to police, all surviving suspects are in custody.
The Philadelphia Board of Ethics appealed a recent court ruling that dismissed its case against a super PAC that backed Jeff Brown’s unsuccessful bid for mayor.
A fifth employee accused Register of Wills Tracey Gordon of firing him for refusing to help her fund her failed campaign for a second term.
The city of Philadelphia unveiled a new free permanent exhibit to remember the 1985 MOVE bombing.
After years of efforts to save it, Isaiah Zagar’s “Skin of Bride” mural at the former Painted Bride Art Center is coming down after more than 25 years.
This Pennsylvania teacher who is also a TikToker made a Phillies remix of “Dancing On My Own” for classrooms.
Neighbors and former employees are behind the new Jim’s West. The steak shop offers a taste of the original Jim’s Steaks in West Philly.
🧠 Trivia time
Tuesday was a big night for sports fans.
The Phillies played Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, the Flyers had their home opener, and Mexico and Germany faced off in soccer. All of it converged at the South Philly sports complex.
Approximately how many fans were expected between Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, and the Wells Fargo Center?
A) 150,000
B) 120,000
C) 75,000
D) 50,000
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
💭 Wondering: Who stole a historic bell that hung outside a Jersey Shore fire department for more than a century?
👀 Watching: Elon Musk is testing a $1 fee for new users in the Philippines and New Zealand on X, formerly known as Twitter.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram 🧩
Hint: The ride to the South Philly sports complex
ADELE ORBITS RENT
We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Chayim Stern, who correctly guessed Wednesday’s answer: Ellen Yin. Email us if you know the answer.
Photo of the day
Have a good day. I’m off to finish last-minute packing and to catch my train. I’ll be out a few days for a long weekend trip to D.C. Paola will step in to give you the latest news tomorrow. See you soon. 👋🏽