Wolf’s PAC showered more than $85K on Dem candidates in Pa. primary, records show

(*This story has been updated to show Rep. Carolyna Comitta, D-Chester, emerging as the winner in a suburban Philadelphia state Senate race)

Gov. Tom Wolf’s political action committee, Wolf PAC, has contributed more than $85,000 since January to Democrats in primary races for seats in the Legislature, according to campaign finance filings.

The PAC has made contributions to four Democratic campaigns for the state House and Senate since Jan. 1. Wolf’s PAC also contributed $100,000 in March to the state House Democratic Campaign Committee and $50,000 in February to the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, according to records filed with the Department of State.

Amanda Cappelletti, Democratic candidate for state Senate in Montgomery County, received $25,000 from Wolf’s PAC on Feb. 28 and $10,000 on May 5. 

Cappelletti is leading incumbent Democrat Daylin Leach, who was elected in 2009. Cappelletti received 57.6 percent and Leached received 42.3 percent, according to unofficial tallies. 

Wolf called for Leach’s resignation in 2017 and again in 2019 after allegations of sexual misconduct among staffers.

Julie Slomski, Democratic candidate for state Senate in Erie county, received $25,000 from Wolf PAC on Feb. 28. Slomski is leading primary challenger Andre Horton with 55.3 percent of the vote to Horton’s 44.7 percent, unofficial tallies showed. Slomski will likely challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Daniel Laughlin in November.

Slomski was asked to join the Wolf administration in 2015 as Wolf’s Northwest Regional Director where she oversaw new investments in the Erie community and the “recovery” of the Erie School District, according to her website.

Horton has represented Erie County Council District 2 since 2014 and is the first person of color to hold an elected Erie county office. 

*Wolf PAC contributed $25,000 to Rep. Carolyn Comitta, D-Chester, on March 18. Comitta won a three-way race to replace Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-Chester, as the Democratic nominee in a suburban Philadelphia district. Committa beat Dinniman’s preferred candidate, legislative aide Don Vyzamal, and will face Republican Kevin Runey in November.

Wolf PAC contributed $2,500 on March 18 to the reelection campaign of state Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, who has held his seat since 1996. 

Julia Shanahan, a journalism student at the University of Iowa, is a summer intern for the Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents Association.