On today’s episode of The Confluence:
How the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade will impact the midterm election
(0:00 - 8:23)
In his reaction last Friday to the Supreme Court’s voiding Roe v. Wade, President Joe Biden called on voters to elect senators and representatives who would codify into law the right to abortion access.
According to a recent NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll 62% of registered voters say the court’s decision will make them more likely to vote in the fall. With the authority over abortion rights now in state capitols, Pennsylvania’s race for governor will be at the forefront.
Republican gubernatorial candidates state Sen. Doug Mastriano has said he would sign a ban on abortion in the state, without exceptions for rape incest, or life of the mother. Democratic nominee and Attorney General Josh Shapiro says he will maintain the legality of abortion in the state, and veto bans that may be passed by the state legislature.
“Those are pretty stark differences,” says Chris Borick, professor of political science at Muhlenberg College. “If this is an important issue to you and you have a position, you'll have clear choices between these two candidates.”
On the national stage, Borick says the overturning of Roe will have less of an impact, but may erode the advantages of Republicans as the party out of power.
“Republicans have the wind at their back [in midterm elections], including in Pennsylvania,” says Borick “Democrats are not energized. They haven't been. This is an issue that gives them a chance to energize some voters that otherwise aren't very turned on right now.”
Record number of voters turned out for May’s primary election
(8:28 - 13:13)
Pennsylvania voters appear to be highly-motivated ahead of the midterm elections in November.
Turnout in last month’s primary was the highest in almost two decades, according to the latest data from the Department of State.
WESA’s Capital Bureau Chief Sam Dunklau caught up with a few voters to find out what drove them to the polls, and what they want candidates to focus on over the next few months.
Aradhna Oliphant stepping down as president and CEO of Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.
(13:16 - 22:30)
After 16 years, Aradhna Oliphant is stepping down this month as president and CEO of Leadership Pittsburgh Inc., which identifies, helps develop and connect leaders throughout the region.
Oliphant says leaders don’t need to be the top executives in an organization to make an impact.
“Titles don't make leaders, ‘leadership’ is a verb. It's what you do that makes or defines a leader, not someone with the ‘name, comma, president CEO,’” says Oliphant.
Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.’s flagship initiative works to instill qualities of leadership in a 60-person cohort over a nine-month class. The program covers a range of topics, from the economy and infrastructure to the arts.
Oliphant says the program she is most proud of, however, is the Community Leadership Course for Veterans, which helps veterans apply the skills they learned in the military to initiatives in their communities.
Oliphant has been succeeded by Jenn Beer, the former vice president for government affairs with the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
The Confluence, where the news comes together, is 90.5 WESA’s daily news program. Tune in Monday to Thursday at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to hear newsmakers and innovators take an in-depth look at stories important to the Pittsburgh region. Find more episodes of The Confluence here or wherever you get your podcasts.
