Longtime Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey has distanced himself from the defund the police movement in the run-up to his tough election this year, despite recent endorsements from groups advocating for police departments to be defunded. The Casey campaign has stated that he has a long history of supporting law enforcement, delivering funding for equipment and vehicles, and voting against federal funding for cities that defund their police departments. However, recent endorsements from groups like Indivisible Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania state chapter of Indivisible, which support defunding the police, have raised concerns among law enforcement officials in the state.
Indivisible Philadelphia, a grassroots organization advocating for progressive change, has been vocal about defunding the police and redirecting resources to support social workers and health officials for non-policing issues. Despite this, Sen. Casey has outlined on his official Senate page the need for policing reform, co-sponsoring the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, which aimed to address police misconduct and systemic racism in law enforcement. The bill, which did not pass, would have made significant changes to policing practices, including banning chokeholds and implementing racial profiling training for officers.
During the height of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, Sen. Casey faced backlash from law enforcement officials in the state for aligning with defund the police activists. The Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association and other law enforcement leaders criticized his support for the Justice in Policing Act and his stance on police reform. However, Casey doubled down on his commitment to police reform, emphasizing the need for officer accountability, data transparency, and improved police practices and training.
In the lead-up to his reelection campaign, Sen. Casey voted for measures that would block federal funding to jurisdictions that defunded the police, supported funding for Pennsylvania police departments through the American Rescue Plan, and backed legislation providing federal funding for law enforcement agencies nationwide. Casey, who has served as a senator since 2007, is anticipating a tough reelection battle against Republican Dave McCormick, a former Bush administration official and Army combat veteran. Both candidates are running unopposed in their respective primaries, with the general election expected to be competitive.
Senator Bob Casey has received endorsements from both pro-defund the police groups like Indivisible Philadelphia and law enforcement officials, showcasing the challenges he faces in balancing the demands of different constituencies. His opponents, like Dave McCormick, have criticized him for aligning with defund the police activists and failing to prioritize law enforcement. Despite the diverging viewpoints on policing and criminal justice reform, Casey remains focused on earning the trust and support of Pennsylvania voters in what is expected to be a closely contested election.
As the state’s Senate primaries approach, the race between Sen. Bob Casey and his Republican challenger Dave McCormick is gaining attention, with both candidates receiving endorsements from various groups and individuals with conflicting views on law enforcement and policing. The outcome of the election will likely hinge on each candidate’s ability to navigate these differing perspectives while addressing the pressing issues facing Pennsylvania, including public safety, police reform, and community relations. Whichever candidate prevails will have the responsibility of representing a diverse constituency and working towards solutions that benefit all residents of the state.
