Author

John Micek
An award-winning political journalist with more than 25 years' experience in the news business, John L. Micek is The Pennsylvania Capital-Star's Editor-in-Chief. Before joining The Capital-Star, Micek spent six years as Opinion Editor at PennLive/The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa., where he helped shape and lead a multiple-award-winning Opinion section for one of Pennsylvania's most-visited news websites. Prior to that, he spent 13 years covering Pennsylvania government and politics for The Morning Call of Allentown, Pa. His career has also included stints covering Congress, Chicago City Hall and more municipal meetings than he could ever count, Micek contributes regular analysis and commentary to a host of broadcast outlets, including CTV-News in Canada and talkRadio in London, U.K., as well as "Face the State" on CBS-21 in Harrisburg, Pa.; "Pennsylvania Newsmakers" on WGAL-8 in Lancaster, Pa., and the Pennsylvania Cable Network. His weekly column on American politics is syndicated nationwide to more than 800 newspapers by Cagle Syndicate.
Republicans denounce Putin’s war on facts, but are silent on the one at home
By: John Micek - March 22, 2022
There’s a lot that’s terrible about Russian strongman Vladimir Putin’s brutal attempt to erase Ukraine from the map of Europe. From the incalculable humanitarian disaster that has seen millions of Ukrainians flee their home country, to the appalling carnage on the streets of Mariupol that was devastatingly humanized with the death of a pregnant woman […]
U.S. Justice Dept. to investigate Republicans who sent fake Trump electors to Congress
By: Melanie Conklin and John Micek - January 27, 2022
The U.S. Dept. of Justice has launched an investigation into an apparent attempt by Republicans in Wisconsin and six other battleground states won by President Joe Biden in 2020 to allegedly subvert the election results by sending falsified slates of electors for ex-President Donald Trump to Congress. Wisconsin attorneys from the nonprofit law firm Law […]
Republicans are the clowns in the debt ceiling circus: The act isn’t funny anymore
By: John Micek - September 29, 2021
It’s way past political cliche, but that old “Popeye” comic strip where J. Wellington Wimpy promises to pay a short-order cook tomorrow for a hamburger he plans to eat today, is still the best way to describe Republican intransigence this week over a vote to extend the nation’s debt ceiling that’s soared past cartoonish farce. […]
Congressional Dems bent the universe toward justice last week
By: John Micek - March 1, 2021
Hopes of getting an increase to the piteously low federal minimum wage tucked into the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill were dealt a serious blow last week when the U.S. Senate’s Parliamentarian ruled that it couldn’t be included in the massive legislative package now moving through Congress. The announcement that came Thursday night was widely […]
REPORT: Biden takes lead in Pa., in range of the presidency
By: John Micek - November 6, 2020
(*This developing story will be updated) CNN Reports: CNN banner: “BIDEN TAKES LEAD IN PA, ON VERGE OF PRESIDENCY.” @JohnKingCNN: “Dramatic and potentially decisive” moment. — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 6, 2020 Biden has a 5,,587-vote edge in the Keystone State, based on the current numbers, according to a source at the Department of State. […]
Actor/activist Alyssa Milano launches fundraising push to flip Wisconsin in 2020
By: John Micek - January 15, 2020
Actor and activist Alyssa Milano took to social media Wednesday to announce that she’s launched a fund-raising effort to support grassroots organizing efforts in three states that delivered the White House to President Donald Trump in 2016. Milano’s “2020 Fund” will aid groups in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, which are already the focus of intense […]