Editorial: An electoral shock to the system needed to save GOP

As has been the case since the earliest days of The Times, we had planned to make endorsements in all of the 2018 elections. We expected, again, to endorse a combination of Democratic and Republican candidates — based entirely on who we saw as likely serving as the best possible public servants. While we often did not agree with a candidate’s ideology, we were able to credit work ethic, honesty...

Endorsement: Chrissy Houlahan for Congress

In this year’s race for the new and open Sixth Congressional District seat — a seat that now encompasses all of Chester County as well as the southern portion of Berks County — we have Democrat Chrissy Houlahan facing Republican Greg McCauley, both first-time candidates for office. Unlike the visceral, top of the ticket races for U.S. Senate and Governor, this race, thankfully, has been more...

Endorsement: Bob Casey Jr. for U.S. Senate

In looking at this year’s race for U.S. Senate, Pennsylvania has a choice between incumbent, two-term U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. and U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta. For most of his two terms in the Senate, Casey has been a moderate (like his father, he is opposed to legalized abortion, although he has strongly supported access to birth control and family planning services) and is often called out by...

Letter: Vote — America’s soul is on the ballot

To the Editor, This is no ordinary election. It’s about more than candidates, policies and political parties. On November 6th: Decency is on the ballot. Respect is on the ballot. Truth is on the ballot Democracy is on the ballot. America’s soul is on the ballot. The President is waging war on the free press–a cornerstone of our Democracy–and declares the only Truth to...

Endorsement: Tom Wolf for Governor

With Pennsylvania continuing to be unable to function on a basic level — schools continue to be underfunded, our infrastructure continues to crumble from years of neglect and increasingly even State Police coverage is threatened for local communities — there was an opportunity for a bold, new vision to really address the commonwealth’s problems by a gubernatorial candidate this year. Unfortunately,...

OpEd: In 2018, Republicans are fighting for the future

By Val DiGiorgio, Chairman, Republican Party of Pennsylvania Val DiGiorgio A lot has changed in our national political landscape—some for the good, some for the bad—but for the first time in over a decade (thanks in large part to Republican achievement) a record-low number of people are concerned about the economy.  Republican-led tax cuts and deregulation have created an economic boom in...

For GOP, the call is coming from inside the house

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Those of you old enough to remember 1980s slasher movies (or those of who have seen countless Internet memes) might be able to relate to both local and national Republicans when I note it appears that “the call is coming from inside the house.” Yes, Bob Woodward’s Fear and the now-famous Op/Ed in The New York Times display a litany of Republicans willing,...

County needs to answer questions on mosquito spraying

By Nathaniel Smith, Columnist, The Times The citizens’ organization Don’t Spray Me! wishes to work as much as possible with facts and evidence concerning pesticide spraying, and within the modes of democratic governance in our society. Most of us will readily agree that the different levels of government should in turn work openly with citizens and taxpayers. In every press release about...

It’s not even Labor Day and the voters are exhausted

I’m so tired, I haven’t slept a wink I’m so tired, my mind is on the blink I wonder should I get up and fix myself a drink — “I’m So Tired” The Beatles. By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times In a week where the headlines came fast and furious, which few enjoyed unless they were playing Criminal Republican Bingo, it seems like the voting public is dividing into three groups:...

Editorial: Democracy cannot survive without a free press

Today, newspapers — digital and print — around the United States will publish editorials decrying attacks on the free press by President Donald J. Trump and other elected officials. We at The Times join that chorus. We know we are a tiny voice — certainly in comparison with the long-established, giant metro newspapers that helped spark this day of solidarity. We will not begin to argue that...