Pennsylvania GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick has released a new ad that criticizes his opponent, Senator Bob Casey, by tying him to Vice President Kamala Harris for her past statements on fracking. The ad shows Harris expressing support for a fracking ban and claims that such a ban would lead to the loss of over 330,000 energy jobs in Pennsylvania. McCormick is portrayed in the ad sitting in a bar surrounded by disappearing Pennsylvania workers, including truck drivers, mechanics, and bartenders.
The ad also includes a clip of Senator Casey praising Harris, saying that she is prepared for the job. McCormick responds by calling Casey “too weak”. This is not the first time that McCormick has criticized Casey for being weak, as a previous ad featured Blair County Sheriff Jim Ott discussing the fentanyl crisis in Pennsylvania and blaming weak politicians like Casey for allowing the issue to persist. Ott shared the personal tragedy of losing his son to a fentanyl overdose, linking it to the need for stronger leadership in the state.
Despite being a three-term incumbent, Senator Casey is facing a challenging race against McCormick, who is gaining momentum and name recognition throughout Pennsylvania. Polls show Casey’s lead narrowing as McCormick continues to make strides in the Senate race. The contest between the two candidates is expected to be the most expensive Senate race in this election cycle, with projected spending on TV ads alone reaching $360 million.
McCormick’s ad strategy of linking Casey to Harris and criticizing his leadership as weak reflects his efforts to appeal to Pennsylvania voters by highlighting key issues such as fracking and the fentanyl crisis. By drawing on personal stories, like Sheriff Ott’s experience with losing a loved one to addiction, McCormick is able to connect with voters on a more emotional level and underscore the importance of strong leadership in addressing these challenges. The ad aims to position McCormick as a viable alternative to Casey, emphasizing his commitment to protecting Pennsylvania workers and families.
