In Pennsylvania, the US Senate race between Sen. Bob Casey and his GOP opponent, David McCormick, is heating up with a brutal exchange of attacks, leaving the race dead even. Republicans are preparing to spend over $100 million on advertising in the final two months of the campaign, giving McCormick a substantial advantage over Casey. Democrats are facing a tough battle to retain control of the Senate, requiring them to defend their seats in purple states like Pennsylvania, in addition to red states like Ohio and Montana.
Casey is framing himself as the underdog in the race, facing attacks from corporate super PACs funded by Wall Street billionaires. McCormick and his allies are turning to a strategy of tying Casey to Vice President Kamala Harris, the border, and inflation to try to gain an edge in the campaign. McCormick’s super PAC, funded by wealthy donors like Ken Griffin and Paul Singer, is providing substantial financial support, along with McCormick’s personal contributions of $4 million to his campaign.
Both candidates are aligning themselves with their party’s leaders, with McCormick seeking support from former President Donald Trump, despite their previous conflicts during the primary. McCormick’s alliance with Trump has its limits, as he does not agree with Trump’s claims of election fraud. Meanwhile, Casey is navigating his affiliation with Vice President Harris, emphasizing her strong campaign efforts in Pennsylvania to boost voter turnout.
One of the key issues in the race is McCormick’s tenure at Bridgewater Associates and his investments in China. Casey has been attacking McCormick’s business dealings, particularly his investments in China, using it as ammunition in the campaign. McCormick defends his investments, claiming that it is common for global firms to have exposure to China and highlighting Casey’s lack of accomplishments as a senator. The race is turning on character attacks and personal histories, with both candidates vying for support in a closely watched contest.
Democrats are emphasizing McCormick’s past comments on abortion, focusing on his stance during the 2022 primary debate where he omitted support for exceptions in cases of rape and incest. Casey has also faced scrutiny for his anti-abortion views, despite being a Democrat. The race is intensifying as both candidates seek to secure the support of Pennsylvania voters in a highly competitive and costly campaign. As the election approaches, the outcome of this Senate race could have significant implications for the balance of power in Washington.
