What do Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court have in common?
Not much.
But that isn’t stopping the Pennsylvania Democratic Party from trying to capitalize on the celebrity engagement of Swift and Kelce, announced Tuesday, to solicit campaign donations.
“We’re sure you’ve already heard the news, but here at PA Dems, we are shouting it from the rooftops: Pennsylvania native Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged!!” the Pennsylvania Democratic Party said in an email Wednesday.
“At a time when it seems like all the headlines are negative, we are happy to hear about this Love Story. But we know All Too Well that even in moments like these, we can’t lose focus on the work we are doing. That’s why today, we are asking you to help us meet another major moment for our state — November’s Supreme Court elections,” the email added.
Wait, what?
“We’re working around the clock (yes, even now) to make sure we are Ready For It this November, but we need your help. Will you help us celebrate by donating $13 or any amount today to help us retain our Supreme Court here in Taylor’s home state,” the email said.
(For non-Swifties, the italicized phrases above are names of hit songs by Swift. And she considers 13 her favorite number, likely making her the world’s most famous triskaidekaphile.)
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party did not return messages seeking comment.
Three Democratic justices on the state Supreme Court — Christine Donohue of Pittsburgh, Kevin Dougherty of Philadelphia and David Wecht of Indiana Township — are up for retention votes in the November election.
Voters will be asked to give a yes or no answer on whether each of the justices should be retained for another 10-year term — though in the case of Donohue, who is 72, if voters choose to retain her, she will need to retire at 75 as required by law. Wecht and Dougherty are 63.
If voters opt not to retain a justice, Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat from Montgomery County, would appoint a replacement that would be subject to the approval of the state Senate, where Republicans currently hold the majority. Then voters would elect a justice for that seat in the next odd-numbered year.
Five justices on the seven-member state Supreme Court are Democrats, and two are Republicans.
The latest campaign finance reports show the Pennsylvania Democratic Party raised more than $344,000 between May 6 and June 9 and ended that reporting period with a cash balance of nearly $40,200. The state GOP raised about $127,000 during the same span and ended the reporting period with a cash balance of about $199,000, records show.
