During a visit to the border town of Nogales, Ariz., Sen. John McCain, along with three other senators, watched a woman successfully jump the border fence. 

The Arkansas Senate voted Wednesday to override Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe's veto of legislation that would require voters to show photo identification before casting a ballot.

Vic Stabile

Allegheny County Judge Ron Wyda has withdrawn his name from the ballot in the Republican primary for Pa. Superior Court. His departure leaves Cumberland County attorney Vic Stabile with a clear path to the nomination.

State Department records show Wyda officially ended his candidacy Wednesday.

The GOP state committee overwhelmingly endorsed Stabile during its winter meeting.

Briefly, Wyda’s candidacy was a rallying point for anti-establishment conservatives who oppose the practice of party nominations.

Democratic voters must decide between Philadelphia Judge Joe Waters and Allegheny County Judge Jack McVay.

Stabile lost the 2011 Superior Court race to Democrat David Wecht.

Update: Wyda issued a withdrawal statement. In part:

There is no dishonor in withdrawing; quite the opposite. We’ve made our mark: won Central Caucus at the Republican State Committee, flexed our muscles by obtaining nearly 2,000 signatures to get on the ballot. The highest levels of the Pennsylvania Republican Party have noticed our campaign. We have built much goodwill and many bridges for the future. To recognize our weaknesses, re-group, re-organize, and be stronger and more prepared for another day’s battle is the wisest course of action. We live to fight another day…and prevail.

Update: Wyda apparently called PAGOP Chair Gleason, who emailed this to party members:

I wanted to let all of you know that I received a call from Rob Wyda. He called to let me know that he has withdrawn his candidacy for the Superior Court, and that he will support our Party’s endorsed candidate, Vic Stabile.

I appreciate Rob’s support and wish him the best of luck as he continues to serve as a Magisterial District Judge in Allegheny County and his future pursuits. I hope all of our members are ready to double their efforts for Vic and I look forward to focusing on winning this critical race with you in November.

Veteran Secret Service agent Julia Pierson has been sworn in as the agency's first female director. 

The former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida was sentenced Wednesday to one-and-a-half years for stealing $125,000 in party funds, completing the fall of a man who once was one of the most powerful political figures in the state.

Police and prosecutors are backing a Washington state bill that would allow law enforcement to use footage from red-light cameras to investigate crimes, while others warn about a 'surveillance society.'

Sen. Ferlo endorses Jack Wagner

State Sen. Jim Ferlo, who just days ago was a candidate for Pittsburgh Mayor, has backed former Pa. Auditor General Jack Wagner in the race.

“We need a hands on manager of the public trust and someone who has the skills to leverage limited resources, hold out workforce and everyone involved in city government, to a high standard of performance and accountability … basically Grant Street needs a new sheriff in town,” Ferlo said, reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Ferlo has a lot of ties in town. He was a close ally of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who decided last month not to seek re-election. He hails from the same part of the city as Bill Peduto and they share a political base of progressive Democrats.

Ferlo officially dropped from the race this week, his withdrawn at the last minute. Rumors had spread that Ferlo might stay on the ballot in order to split the Peduto vote, but a Wagner source says Wagner’s campaign shot down the idea.

Here are the endorsements in the race so far:

City Controller Michael Lamb has been endorsed by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee and the Teamsters Joint Council #40.

Peduto has been endorsed by:

Elected officials Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, State Senator Wayne Fontana, State Rep. Ed Gainey, State Rep. Erin C. Molchany of Mount Washington, City Councilman Bruce Kraus of the South Side, and City Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak of Carrick. Gainey resigned his position as Chair of the Pittsburgh Democratic Committee to avoid a conflict with the committee’s endorsement of Lamb.

Local unions Ironworkers Local Union No. 3; Fraternal Association of Professional Paramedics, Local 1; the United Steel Workers; Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees; SEIU Local 32BJ, the largest property service workers union in the country; and the Laborers’ District Council of Western Pennsylvania.

In addition to Ferlo, Wagner today won the support of the Pittsburgh Firefighters (IAFF); Pittsburgh Police (FOP); Operating Engineers Local 66; and Teamsters Local 249. PoliticsPA will update with a full list.