David McCormick

Asked how his party can regain voters' trust on economic issues, McCormick touted the GOP's "law and order" accomplishments while acknowledging high healthcare and gas prices.

Though there’s work ahead, President Donald Trump and the Republican Party have earned a “pretty good” report card of economic accomplishments in the last two years, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick contended just weeks ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

But he also acknowledged that his party hasn’t aced every test.

“I’d acknowledge the thing that I think we all know, which is that gas prices are too high, and healthcare costs are still too high,” McCormick said.

Republicans are expected to lose seats in the Nov. 3 election in large because of voters’ frustration with President Donald Trump on economic issues, especially gas prices.

A September poll from The Inquirer, New York Times and Siena University found almost two-thirds of likely voters in the state disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy and roughly three-quarters disapproved of his handling of the cost of living and gas prices.

McCormick addressed the issue Thursday when he hosted a discussion at Temple University on government regulation and its effect on business growth called “The Red Tape Dialogues.”

He was asked how he’d make the case to voters that they can trust Trump and other Republicans on the economy, given the president’s poor poll numbers on the issue.

“I would just go back to the promises made during the campaign,” McCormick said, referring to the 2024 election when Trump won the presidency and McCormick defeated three-term Democratic incumbent Bob Casey Jr.

McCormick listed the promises he believes have been kept — mostly on “law and order” issues as opposed to the economy.

“Energy dominance, secure the border, reduce the flow of fentanyl,” McCormick said. He added that fentanyl deaths are down 60% in Pennsylvania, and “violent crime is at an-time low in the commonwealth. And poverty is at all time lows.”

Government figures indicate that U.S. border encounters and illegal crossings are at historic lows.

During a roundtable with FBI Director Kash Patel in April, McCormick’s office reported that overdose deaths in Pennsylvania averaged around 4,000 between 2020 and 2023, then dropped 30% each of the next two years, reducing the number 1,400 last year.

In 2025 in Philadelphia, 222 people were killed — the fewest since 1966, when there were a fraction of as many guns in circulation and 178 homicides.

McCormick said Congress still has “work to do” on housing, but he touted the passage of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

It bans large institutional investors who already own 350 or more single-family homes from purchasing additional single-family residential properties, a policy McCormick said help with affordability.

“So,” McCormick added, “here’s the report card. It’s an honest report card.”

Contrast that with what Democrats are doing, he argued, and the differences for voters should be clear, especially this year when the Democratic party is following a “socialist agenda.”

Several democratic socialists are expected to join Congress next year, including State Rep. Chris Rabb, who is highly favored to win in the general election for Philadelphia’s 3rd Congressional District.

“I never imagined when I was a soldier at the end of the Cold War that I’d be 40 years later standing in front of 25-year-olds, trying to explain to them socialism is going to be bad for their future opportunities, and bad for America.”

He said that when he talks to voters, he gives them a set of choices between what the Democrats and the Republicans have to offer.

“And when I go that well,” he added, “People respond.”

Companies perceived to have profited from ties to Trump would be targets if Democrats win. They also risk alienating customers and shareholders if they defy Congress.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie told South Jersey business leaders to expect the end of the Trump era during a Friday speech in Mount Laurel.

Democrats have run ads referring to the president almost 180,000 times, while GOP ads only mention him 16,000 times.

In its report, the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee portrayed Philadelphia as obstructive to ICE, saying that officials ignored 162 detainer requests between January 2024 and June 2026.

In 2024, many younger voters supported the president and his party. Half way through his term, they're swinging away.

Pennsylvania Democratic challengers in other swing districts, however, are far outpacing Republican incumbents in fundraising.

House Speaker Mike Johnson could try to continue his leadership role, but contenders like Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan wait in the wings.

Believing that chief of staff Susie Wiles might step down after the election, a handful of Trump aides have begun angling for the position should it become available.

Plaintiffs said that they were misled after being falsely told by Musk that million-dollar winners were randomly chosen in a lottery.

The Philadelphia nonprofit is investing in 30 media organizations and 16 community groups with a goal of encouraging young voters to "make their priorities heard."

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Shapiro’s New Path PAC will allow him to fundraise and contribute directly to the Pennsylvania Democratic congressional candidates whom he’s supporting in the midterms, his campaign said.

Aaron Michael McComsey, of Perkasie, was arrested on Thursday. A source familiar with the investigation confirmed that the member of Congress is Brian Fitzpatrick.

The Justice Department has historically sought to avoid public investigative actions involving a candidate within 60 days of a primary or general election.

The donors two the Pennsylvania senators' joint committee included a former Republican candidate for governor among others.

GetCoveredNJ's Affordable Care Act plans are raising premiums on average by nearly 20% next year, higher than in Pennsylvania and the national average. Open enrollment begins Nov. 1.

Comcast, Yass, and Conshohocken-based Extremity Care were on a list of 57 donors who gave $100,000 or more, according to the Washington Post.

Mikie Sherrill invited businesses to the state and praised Josh Shapiro while speaking in Philadelphia before headlining the DNC Women’s Leadership Forum in D.C. with Abigail Spanberger.

District Attorney Larry Krasner earlier this week faulted the police department for botching an earlier murder case against the man now accused of ambushing and killing Officer Shane Seiber.

After a student walkout, the William Penn district said Friday that it's "finalizing an agreement with an investigator" to review an alleged incident that led to the suspension of all sports programs.

“I played there for 10 years, so it’ll never be ‘out of the way,’" Brown said following the Sixers' preseason loss to the Celtics Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Tucker, a Wyomissing native and former NFL offensive lineman, also happens to be the Eagles' preseason announcer. So he's seen a lot of Tanner McKee.

German American Marketing, the Christmas Village organizer, said booths will be "inaccessible" to customers to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Your opponent? A 225-pound, 5-foot long hind quarter beef cut.

The helicopter factory in Ridley Township is the region's largest industrial employer, with 3,000 workers.