WASHINGTON, D.C. – The battle to win Pennsylvania’s US Senate seat is intensifying. Polls show the race is now a “toss-up” between incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey and Republican challenger Dave McCormick. Republicans believe they can win this Senate seat, which could change which party controls the Senate.
Casey and McCormick are on a campaign blitz trying to win battleground Pennsylvania. Casey, a three-term Senator, is in one of the toughest races of his political career going up against McCormick, a veteran and former hedge fund CEO.
According to online sources, nearly 283-million dollars has been spent by the candidates and independent political action committees in this race alone. If you’ve been watching TV lately, you’ve probably been overwhelmed with their ads. According to online sources, 184-million has been spent or reserved on TV ads alone since the primary election.
The Cook Political Report is calling this race a “toss-up”. Democratic control in the Senate is held by a slim majority. Republicans look at this race and other competitive races in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Montana as potential wins, which could flip the Senate from blue to red.
“The race in Pennsylvania is really close and it very much might be a bellwether of what happens with the rest of the nation,” said Dr. Todd Belt, George Washington University professor and director of political management.
Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have made several stops in Pennsylvania. Political scientists said the road to win the White House goes through Pennsylvania.
“Both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates are really trying to get out the vote and that’s going to help those senatorial candidates,” said Dr. Belt. “It’s full court press on both sides.”
