2024 Election Preview: US Senate

This is one of the most closely watched U.S. Senate races in the country because most of it hangs in the balance.

Three-time incumbent Democrat Senator Bob Casey Jr. faces a major challenge from Republicans Dave McCormick. Both campaigns have already spent more than $344 million on ads touting their strengths and trying to point out their opponent’s flaws.

Other candidates include: Leila Hazou Green Party, Marty Selker Constitutional Party i John Thomas Jr. Libertarian Party.

Bob Casey Jr. (D)
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US Senator, since 2007; PA State Treasurer 2005-07;
PA Auditor General 1997-2005
BA: College of the Holy Cross ’82
JD: Catholic University ’88
Residence: Scranton

Issues

• mistake to fall over Roe v. Wade and strongly opposes Republican efforts to implement a nationwide abortion ban
• fought to repeal many harmful policies that have contributed to historic discrimination against the LGBTQ community
• fights for equal pay for equal work and is an original co-author of the Fair Pay Act
• supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Act
• fight for annual health care support funding for the VA
• an advocate for the most vulnerable among us, including children, seniors and people with disabilities
• they are fighting to pass a law to ban union busting tax breaks to stop allowing corporations to subsidize their anti-union activities at taxpayers’ expense
• are fighting to hold the Chinese government accountable for its currency manipulation and deceitful practices
• leading bipartisan bills to force hedge funds and private equity firms to disclose their investments in China
• leading bipartisan bills to force hedge funds and private equity firms to disclose their investments in China
• exposed how greedy corporations steal from working families
• believes we must secure our borders and protect the safety of our communities and supports comprehensive immigration reform

Dave McCormick (right)
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CEO, Bridgewater Associates, 2020-22; Co-CEO, 2017–2020; President, 2009–2017; Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Affairs, 2007–2009
BS: United States Military Academy ’87
Ph.D.: Princeton University ’96
Residence: Pittsburgh

Issues

• pro-life, opposes a national abortion ban and supports exceptions in cases of rape, incest and saving the mother’s life
• work to reduce government spending, oppose tax increases, and demonstrate fiscal responsibility
• fight to secure the border, end drug and human trafficking, and support our border patrol agents
• work to restore America’s military power, strengthen our defense industrial base, and restore the deterrence of our adversaries. Show peace through strength
• an ecologist who believes that we don’t have to choose between pristine energy and economic development
• mitigate the risks of climate change through adaptation and energy policies that do not cause significant harm to our society, our economy and our security
• improving the quality of our schools by increasing school choice, promoting freedom of expression and valuing citizenship
• create modern workforce training programs and give vocational training and community colleges the same respect – and financial support – that our country gives to four-year college degrees
• exploit sanctions, intelligence assets, military interdictions at sea, and any other tools at our disposal to make it as challenging as possible for drug cartels to produce fentanyl
• improving education in mathematics, science and engineering, and improving technical skills
• connect veterans with employment opportunities in the private and public sectors
• believes that law-abiding citizens have an individual right to possess firearms for the purposes of self-defense, hunting, collecting and target shooting

Leila Hazou (green)
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Small business owner; Former project manager at Deutsche Bank
BA: University of Colorado ’95
MBA: Loyola College (Med.) ’05
Residence: Delaware Township, Pike County

Priorities

• Women’s rights, LGBTQ rights and the end of systemic racism
• Healthcare is a right – no one should have to worry about losing their home due to illness or aging
• Removing AIPAC and corporate lobbying from our politics
• Ensuring that the prosperous pay their share of taxes
• Environment and responsible management of the planet
• Workers’ rights and fair wages

Marty Selker (constitution)
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He worked in business and the gas industry
Residence: Millcreek Township, Clarion County

Issues

• secure our borders with sufficient resources to prevent illegal entries and catch human traffickers and terrorists
• committed to protecting and upholding the Constitution and compelling the government to fulfill its narrow role of protecting individual rights
• prioritize protecting the Bill of Rights
• parents have the inherent right and responsibility to raise their children without undue government interference
• advocate for policies that promote Pennsylvania’s economic freedom, protect our health care freedom from undue influence and abuse, and protect our sovereignty
• work to prevent unnecessary military interventions
• make it a priority to reduce government spending, reduce the national debt, and get our money back to health

John Thomas Jr. (libertarian)
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BA: Indiana University of Pennsylvania ’00
Residence: Kittanning, Armstrong County

Issues

• pursue a sound monetary policy and put an end to the counterfeiting regime
• reduce the size and scope of government
• If we cut taxes and ease regulations on health care, health care can operate like other sectors of the economy.
• dismantle the government welfare system
• The “my body, my choice” argument makes no sense

Debates

In the News

• Bob Casey and Dave McCormick’s closing arguments in the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania. (Questioner from PhiladelphiaNovember 3)
• My name is Bob Casey. That’s why I want Pennsylvania to get a vote in the Senate
  (Fox NewsNovember 1)
• My name is Dave McCormick: this is why I want Pennsylvania to get a vote in the Senate (Fox NewsNovember 1)
• Senator Bob Casey faces his toughest re-election challenge from Republican Dave McCormick. (WVIANovember 1)
• Total spending for the Casey v. McCormick Senate race is approaching $300 million. (PennLiveNovember 1)
• US Senate Candidates Bob Casey and Dave McCormick: What is their position on this issue? (WGAL-TVNovember 1)
• Decision 2024: Pennsylvania’s 2024 U.S. Senate Race (City and stateOctober 31)
• Meet the billionaires supporting Republican Dave McCormick’s bid for the US Senate. (Questioner from PhiladelphiaOctober 31)
• McCormick led a “toxic” work environment, according to former hedge fund associates. (WHYOctober 30)
• Casey and McCormick break down the top issues in the Pennsylvania Senate race. (CBS PittsburghOctober 22)
• Where U.S. Senate candidates Bob Casey and Dave McCormick advocate for inflation, taxes and more. (PA reflectorOctober 18)
• In a key Senate race in Pennsylvania, Bob Casey and Dave McCormick are teetering on top of the field. (NBC NewsOctober 2)
• What to know about the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania. (Axios PhiladelphiaSeptember 24)

By the numbers

Marty Selker’s friends

• Raised: $7,101.73
• Spent: $7,976.51
• Cash on hand: $2,287.68
• Debt and liabilities: $1,067.40