Fitzpatrick has more campaign $ than any other GOP U.S. House incumbent – Bucks Round-Up – February 6, 2026
Fitzpatrick has more campaign $ than any other GOP U.S. House incumbent
U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick’s campaign committee has more cash on hand, at $7.3 million, than any other Republican incumbent seeking reelection to his chamber. More importantly for him, he has almost 20 times more campaign money than his likely general election opponent, County Commissioner Bob Harvie (D), who has just over $400,000 in his committee account, according to his most recent campaign finance report. The upcoming election promises to be competitive as two are vying for one of the most “purple” congressional seats in the nation; PA-01 went for Donald Trump by just 291 votes in 2024. Yet the tide recently turned against Republicans in the region, with Democrats sweeping Bucks County elections last year and with Trump’s approval rating underwater by double digits.
Bensalem school directors fret over $4.5 million budget shortfall
Three Bensalem Township School District directors raised concern about the district’s finances earlier this week. Stephanie Gonzalez Ferrandez, Kate Pascucci, and Karen Winters reported a $4.5 million budget shortfall while speaking publicly to residents. They ascribed costs to charter schools — particularly School Lane Charter — and special education expenses. They mentioned the prospect of a tax hike to close the gap. Without Act 1 exemptions, the district will be able to raise property taxes by around 4.2 percent; but with exemptions, they could enact an increase of between five and eight percent. Alternatively, the district could cut spending, though they have yet to openly contemplate specific reductions.
Bucks County braces for dangerous cold conditions
Another blast of Arctic air is set to grip Bucks County and the region heading into the weekend, bringing light snow, plunging temperatures, and potentially dangerous wind chills. The National Weather Service in Mount Holly says a cold front will arrive late Friday night, possibly producing light snow showers or a brief snow squall. Accumulations are expected to be minimal — generally an inch or less — but forecasters stress that snow is not the main concern. Meteorologist Michael Silva says temperatures will peak just after midnight Saturday before falling sharply through the day, dropping into the teens and then single digits by Saturday night. Strong winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 50 miles per hour, will make it feel far colder, with wind chills dipping to ten below zero during the day and as low as fiftreen to 20 below zero overnight. A wind advisory and an extreme cold warning are in effect for Saturday and Sunday. Conditions are expected to moderate early next week, with highs reaching the upper 20s Monday and climbing into the 30s by midweek.
Michigan man sentenced to decades for Bensalem arson attack
In Bucks County Court, a Michigan man who carried out a cross-country arson attack that destroyed a Bensalem home was sentenced Thursday to 20 to 40 years in state prison. Harrison Jones, 22, of Rockford, Michigan, pleaded no contest to six counts of attempted homicide and aggravated animal cruelty, along with guilty pleas to arson-related charges stemming from a February 2025 fire on Merganser Way. Prosecutors said Jones drove more than 700 miles to target the home, igniting an accelerant that caused an explosion and trapped six people inside. The family escaped by jumping from second-story windows, but the home was destroyed and two dogs were killed. Judge Matt Weintraub ordered Jones to pay more than $500,000 in restitution, calling the crime calculated and traumatic. Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan praised investigators for ensuring accountability in what he described as a terrifying act of violence.
AAA warns of impaired driving risks on Big Game Day
AAA Mid-Atlantic is urging residents to plan ahead for the Super Bowl, warning that game day is consistently one of the deadliest days for drunk driving. Nearly 45 percent of traffic fatalities on the day involve alcohol, according to federal data. PennDOT reports that during recent championship weekends, hundreds of crashes occurred statewide, including multiple fatalities. AAA Mid-Atlantic public affairs manager, Jana Tidwell recommends sobriety behind the wheel. “Always drive 100% sober,” Tidwell said. “For some, even one alcoholic beverage could be one too many. And remember that buzzed driving is drunk driving. Don’t risk it.” Law enforcement will increase patrols Sunday, with zero tolerance for impaired driving. AAA and Mothers Against Drunk Driving continue to push for designated drivers and sober ride plans, emphasizing that impaired-driving crashes are preventable — and that the legal and financial consequences can be life-altering.
Joe LeCompte hosts LeCompte in the Morning on WBCB 1490. Bradley Vasoli is the senior editor of The Independence.
