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Gov showdown set, but Republican Senate race remains tight

National politics focused on Pa. GOP primaries last night to see if Trump-backed candidates would sweep. It worked for governor, but not for Senate.

• Senate candidates Mehmet Oz (endorsed) and Dave McCormick are locked at 31%. A recount is triggered if the final margin is within 0.5%. On the Dem side, John Fetterman won easily, as expected.

Democratic gov nominee Josh Shapiro, who ran unopposed, will face Republican Doug Mastriano. Conventional wisdom holds that as an election-denier who favors total abortion bans, Mastriano will lose statewide — but pundits warn that might not be the case, Jordan Levy reports.

Incumbents mostly hang on to rep Philly in Harrisburg

Philly’s state legislative races were kind of wild this year, but the primary ended up bringing few surprises, Lizzy McLellan Ravitch and Asha Prihar report.

• The most surprising winner was Tarik Khan, who unseated decade-long Pa. House incumbent Pam DeLissio. In other races, even the party’s backing of challengers wasn’t enough to shake loose the incumbent.

Meanwhile, the Philly ballot questions all passed, giving Council say over the zoning board and removing gendered language from City Charter — a pending change to which more than a third of voters said “no.”

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled 

• In the middle of primary day, John Fetterman had a pacemaker put in after his stroke. As he recovers, Pa. Senate Pro Tempore Jake Corman, who recently bowed out of the Republican for governor, will temporarily assume lieutenant gov duties. [NBC10/pa.gov]
• U.S. Rep Dwight Evans easily held his seat, despite challenger Alexandra Hunt mounting an attention-getting campaign that centered sex work, Beatrice Forman reports. [Billy Penn]
• Voting was generally smooth in Philadelphia on a sunny Election Day, though a citywide poll worker shortage caused a few stumbles. [Billy Penn]
• Nina Elizabeth Ball’s journey as a poet and activist led to her new position as director of programming at the African American Museum. [Love Now]
• The New Zealand mud snail is showing up in waterways around the region. Smaller than a kernel of corn, it multiplies quickly, and could pose trouble. [KYW/PennLive$]
• After asking Phillies fans to choose a design, Citizens Bank Park’s outfield now has a cool Liberty Bell mowed into it. [PhillyVoice/@NBCSPhilly]

Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)

We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting at the Community College of Philadelphia. 

• Across Philadelphia, nonprofits and schools are training teens in conflict resolution, with the goal of settling arguments before they devolve into shooting. [WHYY]
• Temple has launched the Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting, which will focus on potential solutions to issues like gun violence and economic and health disparities. [Temple]
• Thanks to a new grant, the Credible Messenger Reporting Project is looking for more community members who want to report on gun violence prevention. [PCGVR]
• The top reasons Philly students feel there’s so much gun violence are 1) gang involvement, 2) the desire to be seen as cool, and 3) weak gun laws, per a new survey coordinated by Councilmember Thomas. [Tribune$]
• Reminder: Philadelphia’s 211 anti-violence hotline is a free and confidential way to connect with services and resources. [phila.gov]

By the numbers in Philadelphia

• 47: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 33 the week prior [PPD Google Drive]
• 785: Shooting victims this year, down 1% from last year [PCGVR]
• 180: Year-to-date homicides, down 9% from last year [Philly Police]

MAYOR WATCH

Mayor Kenney starts out opening a new playground at James R. Lowell Elementary in Olney, alongside reps from the Trust for Public Land, the Philly School District, and the Sixers Youth Foundation (10 a.m.). He then heads to the other end of the city for another groundbreaking, this one for a new welcome center at FDR Park (12 p.m.).

ON THE CALENDAR

🏆 BP Quizzo is tonight! Our monthly trivia event about all things Philly lands at the home of Fishtown Iced Teas (RIP Arctic Splash Cartons). Hosts Danya and Sakeenah are kicking it at the new patio at Interstate Drafthouse, so start assembling a team. Registration is free. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 18).

🌺 At a South Philly block party with live music, free food, and Indonesian dance, artist José Ortiz-Pagán unveils “La Sombrilla,” a self-sustaining planter that will combat urban heat. (12 p.m. Saturday, May 21)

🍺 The Made On American Street Beer, Cider & Music Festival does exactly what it says, bringing all those things to the rejuvenated Kensington corridor. Tickets start at $40. (1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21)