Just received an email from PA Dems that Speaker Mike Turzai R-PA is retiring (!)

[FakeNoose]

Here's the link for anybody who wants to see it, but there's not much there. Apparently it was just announced a couple hours ago. If it's true, this is an opportunity for us to flip the Pennsylvania Legislature, or least gain a few important seats.

https://www.padems.com/2020/01/pa-dems-statement-on-speaker-mike-turzais-retirement/

I'm sure there will be more info forthcoming - soon!

[Pantagruel]

1. Remember this?

"Speaking to the Republican State Committee on June 23, 2012, Turzai stated that Pennsylvania's new[76] voter ID law would "allow Governor [Mitt] Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania" in the November 2012 U.S. Presidential election. He listed the goals that the majority-Republican legislature had achieved toward that end: "Pro-Second Amendment? The Castle Doctrine, it's done. First pro-life legislation—abortion facility regulations—in 22 years, done. Voter ID, which is going to allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania, done."[77][78] According to CBS Philadelphia, "Turzai's spokesman defends his boss's comment, saying Turzai meant that assuring voter integrity will make for a fairer election."[79]

Turzai's comment heightened national debate and concern over whether the goal of the voter ID laws then being passed in Republican-controlled states was actually to check voter fraud or to set obstacles against "elderly, disabled, low-income people and the homeless, plus married women who have changed their names, transgender individuals, and students who have photo IDs that don't list an expiration date",[79][80][81] in Pennsylvania an estimated 750,000 of whom were already registered voters, as acknowledged by the state.[82] A lawsuit had been filed in April challenging "Act 18," the new law, signed in March, which amended the Election Code's definition of "proof of identification" to include only certain forms of ID as acceptable.[83][84][85] Before the suit went to court in July, the state "signed a stipulation agreement with lawyers for the plaintiffs which acknowledges there 'have been no investigations or prosecutions of in-person voter fraud in Pennsylvania; and the parties do not have direct personal knowledge of any such investigations or prosecutions in other states.'"[86] In August, in a statement praising the Commonwealth court for upholding Act 18, Turzai said, "It is unfortunate, but there has been a history of voter fraud in Pennsylvania. The elections in the Commonwealth will be on a more level playing field thanks to voter ID and other recent election reforms."[87]

The plaintiffs appealed to the state supreme court, which vacated the lower court's decision and sent it back. Justice McCaffrey wrote, "While I have no argument with the requirement that all Pennsylvania voters, at some reasonable point in the future, will have to present photo identification before they may cast their ballots, it is clear to me that the reason for the urgency of implementing Act 18 prior to the November 2012 election is purely political. That has been made abundantly clear by the House Majority Leader.".[85] That month during a Fox News debate with state senator Daylin Leach, Turzai claimed that the legislation, for which no Democratic representative had voted,[82] had bipartisan support, and argued that it "is really just about presenting voter identification, which you do when you're buying Sudafed at a drugstore, or going to a place to buy beer, or to a gym, or going to an airport."[88]"

[MyOwnPeace]

3. Great entry, Pantagruel!

I, for one, will be VERY happy to see Turd's-eye gone, especially after his "that will make Romney the winner" comment (which you well covered!}.

As can be found in some of the "comments" after the P-G article, I'm guessing he's got a big-bucks job lined up with one of the energy companies that benefited from his legislation that was very favorable for them.

But, no matter where he lands, better there than in office. Let's hope it stays that way!

[FakeNoose]

2. Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Pa. Speaker Mike Turzai will retire from state House after current term

(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/01/23/Pennsylvania-Speaker-Mike-Turzai-retirement-state-House-pittsburgh-bradford-woods/stories/202001230109

by JULIAN ROUTH Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
[e-mail] January 23, 2020

Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai, an Allegheny County Republican whose rise in the state Legislature over nearly two decades has made him one of Harrisburg's most prominent conservatives, will not seek reelection this year.

At a press conference at his district office in McCandless on Thursday, Mr. Turzai said he won't run for a 10th term as state representative, opting instead to seek a job in the private sector.

"Over the course of this year, we said, you know, it may be time for others to take the torch, to pass it on," Mr. Turzai said, flanked by his family and local Republican lawmakers.

Mr. Turzai would not commit to finishing the remainder of his term — saying he's "going to take a look at [private sector] opportunities as they arise" — but the primary and general elections this year will proceed as usual to name his ultimate successor.

- more at link -

It's not a rumor.

[DeminPennswoods]

4. Does Turzai think the state house might actually flip?

Dems probably need to pick up 8-10 seats to flip the house and these house districts are pretty much gerrymandered to be non-competitive. My neighboring HD is drawn to elect a Dem, but Bernstine won it for the Rs and seems to be pretty safe in it now. I don't know what other HDs might be flippable.

Is some scandal brewing involving Turzai? Why would he not commit to finishing his term? It's only got 10 months left in it.

[FakeNoose]

5. Interesting questions DeminPennswoods!

I don't have any insider information, but the PPG article does say that he's not quitting until the current term is up. He's making the announcement now so they can get another candidate in place, I would guess.

This is one guy I'll be happy to see the last of.

[DeminPennswoods]

6. Turzai's only 60 and he's giving up a pretty cushy job

as Speaker. Do you think he believes he might have a challenger who could beat him out of it?

[FakeNoose]

7. Maybe he thinks the GOP will lose the majority?

Can't say for sure.

[DeminPennswoods]

8. A poster at politicspa said Turzai only won by 9

in 2018. It was his closest win. Maybe his district is getting less conservative and he doesn't want to go through what could be a tougher campaign.

[DeminPennswoods]

9. Turzai endorses Rob Mercuri as successor

This guy: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2020/01/26/Turzai-endorses-West-Point-grad-GOP-conservative-rob-mercuri-pnc/stories/202001260141