Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) announced that he will seek a fourth term on Monday, setting the stage for another central Senate race in the state.
Casey has the advantage of incumbency and is the longest-serving Democratic senator in Pennsylvania history, which will likely make this race a closely-observed contest for both parties as they battle for the majority in a split Senate, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Casey has successfully won six statewide elections.
“I’m running for re-election because with so much on the line for Pennsylvania’s working families, I want to keep delivering results for Pennsylvania,” Casey told the Inquirer. “There’s still more work to cut through the gridlock, stand up to powerful corporate special interests, and make the lives of hardworking Pennsylvanians a little bit easier. I won’t back down from any fight for communities and families across our Commonwealth.”
On the opposite party’s side, at least two Republicans have expressed interest in challenging Casey.
Dave McCormick, who had narrowly lost to Mehmet Oz (R-Pa.) in the Republican Party (GOP) Senate primary last year, has indicated his interest in the Senate seat. He is the former CEO of Bridgewater Associates and served as the under secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs under former President George W. Bush’s administration.
“A vote for Casey is a vote for Biden and Schumer,” McCormick said to the Inquirer. “He’s a Washington insider and not a leader we can count on to deliver a better future for our great commonwealth.”
State Senator Doug Mastriano, who was defeated by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-Pa.) in his gubernatorial bid last year, also expressed interest, according to the Inquirer.
“What do you do with a movement of 2.2 million?” Mastriano said to Politico. “We’re keeping it alive.”
The Democratic party rallied to support Casey in his announcement for re-election. Democratic Party Chairman Sharif Street told the Inquirer that Pennsylvanians have continuously elected Senator Casey because of how he “spent his life fighting for the dignity of a livable wage” and has been a “defender of Pennsylvania’s hardworking people.”
In January 2023, Casey was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery.
Last year’s open Senate contest between John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Penn alumnus Mehmet Oz became the country's most competitive and expensive race.
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