Incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D), David McCormick (R), and five other candidates are running for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania on Nov. 5, 2024.
According to the AP’s Marc Levy, “McCormick’s candidacy is shaping up as the strongest challenge to Casey in his three reelection bids…The Senate candidates will share a ticket with candidates for president in a state that is critical to whether Democrats can maintain control of the White House and the Senate.”
Casey was first elected in 2006, defeating then-incumbent Rick Santorum (R) 56.7%-41.3%. As of July 9, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Decision Desk HQ and The Hill, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rated the election as a lean or tilt Democratic. According to a July 11 New York Times poll, Casey Jr. led McCormick 50%-42%. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
Casey received a bachelor’s degree from The College of the Holy Cross in 1982 and a J.D. from The Catholic University of America. Casey worked as a teacher and a lawyer in Scranton, Pennsylvania, before running for elected office. He served as Pennsylvania Auditor General from 1997-2005 and as Pennsylvania Treasurer from 2005-2007.
In a statement published on his campaign website, Casey said he supports policies that combat terrorism, make it easier for small businesses to expand, and increase financial security for families, workers, and seniors. His website also says Casey supports policies he believes give a voice to those who he says “are threatened by Congressional Republicans’recent attempts to give tax cuts to the ultra-rich and to undermine Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.”
McCormick received a bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Ph.D. in international affairs from Princeton University. McCormick worked as the CEO of Bridgewater Associates, an investment management firm, and under secretary in both the Department of Commerce and Department of Treasury. He served in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division during the Persian Gulf War.
On his campaign website, McCormick says he will support policies that reduce China’s influence on the U.S., increase energy production in Pennsylvania, take on the culture of Washington to rein in federal spending and increase government accountability, reduce financial burdens on families, and strengthen national defense.
As of April 3, 2024, Casey Jr. raised $23.8 million in campaign finance, and McCormick raised $11.1 million.
Marty Selker (Constitution Party), Leila Hazou (G), John Thomas (L), Hussein Tartour-Aguirre (Independent), and Quincy Magee (Independent, Write-in) are also running in the November general election.