Wilkes University assistant professor Ben Toll said, just like in the analog world, candidates are trying to meet potential supporters where they are - online. Campaigns try to understand who their target audience is and then they make decisions based on social media engagement accordingly.
Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.
Jim Vallee / Getty Images / IStockphoto
Wilkes University assistant professor Ben Toll said, just like in the analog world, candidates are trying to meet potential supporters where they are - online. Campaigns try to understand who their target audience is and then they make decisions based on social media engagement accordingly.
Airdate: September 26, 2022
The mid-term election is scheduled for November 8 — about a month and a half away.
Pennsylvania’s races for the U.S. Senate and Governor could play a major role in the direction of the nation.
Historically, the first mid-term election after a new president has been elected is dominated by the party that is not in the White House. In 2022, that means Republicans should do very well, if history is an indicator.
However, at least in Pennsylvania, polls are showing Democrats in the lead in the statewide races.
The latest poll from Muhlenberg College was released late last week. Dr. Christopher Borick, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Muhlenberg College School of Public Opinion appeared on Monday’s Smart Talk.
Democrat Josh Shapiro leads Republican Doug Mastriano 53% to 42% in the race for governor and Democrat John Fetterman has a five point lead over Republican Mehmet Oz 49% to 44% in the U.S. Senate contest. In both races though, the Republican candidates are viewed unfavorably by wide margins by those who were polled.
Borick said those unfavorable numbers are sometimes hard to overcome and mentioned Mastriano in particular,” I think it is harder for Senator Mastriano right now to close that gap. It is a good cycle for Republicans. Issues like inflation certainly help bouy the Republican chances. And it’s going to be a lift for Republican candidates across the country. But matchups still matter. And in this particular matchup, advantage Democrats, Shapiro has pretty broad appeal in Pennsylvania, very comfortable, maybe in places like suburban Philadelphia, older voters, where somebody like John Fetterman might not be a natural fit. Josh Shapiro is every bit a natural fit and and has less, I think, weaknesses to expose. And I think Mastriano has weaknesses that have been exposed by the Shapiro campaign, a relentless series of ads that in Senator Mastriano’s own words allow, I think, a framing of him as a more extreme candidate, and that’s hurting his negatives.”
Abortion also stacks up to be a major issue in the election.
Borick talked about abortion as an issue,”I went back and looked at our polling from the exact same time in the last cycle that was 2018, last midterm comparable cycle to see where abortion was. 3% of Pennsylvanians in 2018 said it’s the top issue for them as they made their choice. In 2022, it’s 21% — one fifth of of the electorate. I don’t think you have to to be a mind reader to guess what’s happening for Pennsylvania voters. This is a post Dobbs effect in terms of issues, salience. It’s a much more important issue now than it was before that decision and comparable to other cycles. And it has a big effect if you’re looking for one issue that has helped energize Democrats in a cycle where they were fairly energized, if you will, relative to Republicans.”
The Muhlenberg poll also showed 52% of those polled disapprove of the job President Joe Biden is doing compared to 43% who approve.