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PA Political DigestAuthor: Christopher Nicholas
A stroll through the annals of Pennsylvania political corruption via a 5-episode podcast series. Listen as long-time GOP political consultant Christopher Nicholas, along with two veteran reporters who have witnessed and written about politics and corruption here for decades -- John Baer and Brad Bumsted -- review the quirks and the nooks and crannies of some of the most absorbing political corruption cases, primarily from the modern era, here in Pennsylvania. In each episode (about 35-45 minutes) we will feature in a main story and a secondary story. A disgraced Attorney General whose twin sister also worked there, who went down for lying to the court. Two former House speakers shared the same prison cell for a time. Not one, not two, but three Republican sisters taken down, two of whom were elected officials and one was their campaign manager. An entire Philadelphia court system eliminated due to fraud and corruption. A powerful Philadelphia state senator with a vacuum fixation. Yes, a vacuum fixation, funded by OPM -- "other people's money," not his. Congressmen taking bribes from fake Arab sheiks. A GOP Attorney General who went down by what he did in his previous job, but still managed to finish second in the 1994 Republican primary for governor. Multiple state treasurers were indicted, and one who very tragically and publicly killed himself during a press conference live on TV. Even the Capitol building itself was christened with corruption during a scandal when it was built in the early 1900's that in today's dollars would equal nearly half a billion dollars. So, as you can see, we have lots to talk about on the Pennsylvania Political Digest podcast, a stroll through the annals of Pennsylvania political corruption. Language: en-us Genres: History, News, Politics Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Pennsylvania has never elected a woman as governor - will that change in 2026?
Episode 4
Monday, 30 March, 2026
PA Political Digest sits down with Betsy Fischer Martin as Women's History Month comes to a close The Commonwealth of PA has the dubious distinction of being one of the Big 4 states that's never elected a woman as Governor or as a U.S. Senator. Here in PA did you know that while there are more Democratic women in the State House there are more Republican women in the State Senate. Overall the number of women in the state legislature has greatly increased during my time working in politics here. What will you learn listening to our pod? -What the other 3 states are in the Big 4 besides PA... -You'll also learn why I wear the same "uniform" each week on This Week in PA, and what the 'time' deficit is that women have to deal with. -Speaking of uniforms, will GOP gubernatorial nominee Stacy Garrity's extensive military background help her bridge the toughness gap in the gov race that women must often deal with? -And how many women are there now in the U.S. House, U.S. Senate and serving as Governors. Background: PA Dems, in the modern era, have never nominated a woman as their gubernatorial candidate, while the PA GOP has never nominated a woman as their U.S. Senate standard-bearer. This year the PA GOP has nominated State Treasurer Garrity as their candidate for Governor, the second time they have set on a female candidate for that office...way back in 1990 was the first time. That sets up a contest between her and Josh Shapiro...what are the special challenges for each as they battle a candidate of the opposite gender? As Women's History Month comes to a close today (3-31-26), it seemed like the perfect time to do a deep dive on this, and that's why I talked late last week with Betsy Fischer Martin, the head of American University's Women & Politics Institute. She was also the long-time Exec. Producer of Meet the Press with Tim Russert. Thanks again to Betsy...and enjoy!
