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Potential Challengers for Senator Bob Casey in 2012

November 4, 2010 By 22 Comments

Updated 11/12/10 with new submissions

As Republicans painted the state of Pennsylvania red last week incumbent senator Bob Casey was taking a hard look at his chances for reelection in 2012. At this point no Republicans (that I am aware of) have announced a challenge to Senator Casey. But with the midterm elections over bloggers, having nothing to write about,  summarily discuss and toss around ideas of possible challengers to Senator Casey. Here is the Keystone Conservative list (in no particular order).

Pat Meehan

Previous candidate for Governor and Philly outlier, Meehan has as long history with PA politics and could easily jump into the 2012 Senate race. His big negative is his connections to former senator Arlen Specter.

Jim Gerlach

Another candidate for Governor and Philly outlier, Gerlach has the state wide name recognition and the party connections to jump into a GOP senate primary in 2011.

Joe Scarnati

The only lieutenant in the history of Pennsylvania to serve are as the Republican lieutenant governor with a sitting Democrat Governor. Scarnati, from Brockway PA, has the connections and decent statewide name recognition to throw his hat into the race.

Tom Ridge

Former PA Governor and director of homeland Security is another possibility. But after a failed recruitment attempt to run against Pat Toomey he may not want to run for Senate unless the way was cleared ahead of time.

Jake Corman

A rising star in Pennsylvania politics Corman (Senator from the 34th senatorial district) is another potential Casey challenger in 2012. He was the State Director for central PA for Senator Rick Santorum (94-98).

Glen Meakem

Meakem, conservative radio talkshow host and previous campaign chairman for William Scranton III for lieutenant governor. Meakem reportedly considered running against Senator Arlen Specter in the 2010 Primary.

Sam Rohrer

Rohrer has plenty of statewide name recognition after his primary race with Governor Elect Tom Corbett. He would face an uphill battle for the nomination and has stated he isn’t interested in Federal office.

Bruce Castor

Castor former Montgomery County DA and current Montgomery County Commissioner is another name being mentioned as a possible challenger for Senator Bob Casey.

Marc Scaringi

Scaringi has already announced his campaign for senate in 2012. Scaringi is a Harrisburg based lawyer who worked with Rick Santorum for senate campaign in 1994. [facebook campaign page]

Jane Orie

Orie, state senator representing the 40th senatorial district. Orie recently resigned her position as Republican whip due to a corruption indictment. If she can clear up the charges quickly Orie could be another possibility in the 2012 senate race.

That’s the list so far, leave a comment with thoughts, suggestions and opinions of who should or shouldn’t be on this list.

  • http://bluftooni.blogspot.com/ Lisa Mossie

    Bruce Castor, former Montgomery County DA, current Montgomery County Commissioner. Tough and unafraid to stand on principle.

  • W. S.

    Sam Rohrer!

  • Shelleycas

    I hadn’t started thinking about this yet, but of course I find it fascinating! Of this list, I would think only Jake Corman is a strong possibility.

    In 2 years, Pat Meehan’s connection to Arlen Specter will not be that much of an issue. However, the fact that he just won the 7th District Congressional seat (vacated by Joe Sestak) in a brutal race with a comfortable margin would more than likely keep him content.

    Jim Gerlach, couldn’t get a campaign for Governor off the ground in the primary and his name recognition statewide remained consistently low. I think he enjoyed his attempt at running for a different office, but will remain contently as the Congressman in the 6th District.

    Joe Scarnati appears to love being right where he is. As the Lt. Governor he could have thrown his hat in the ring for Governor but never did (made requisite comments about considering it, but never sounded serious). With Repubicans taking control of both the House and Senate, Scarnati becomes even more powerful. It takes a longtime to gain power in Congress, he’s already there in Pennsylvania.

    While Tom Ridge’s name is still spoken with reverence in some corners of the state, he has not done anything to move back into active politics. He’s already held the position of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security a position he left shortly after 60 Minutes ran an expose’ of where some of that department’s money was actually being spent. That could unfortunately be exploited a chance someone trying to leave a legacy would more than likely not be willing to take.

    Glen Meakem may not be considered experienced or moderate enough for the majority of people. Additionally his ability to raise money may be a deciding factor in whether he would run or not.

  • Captain Blood

    State Senator Jane Orie, just as soon as she gets out from under those politically motivated indictments.

  • A partisan

    Jim Gerlach would be an excellent candidate should he decide to run.

  • Captain Blood

    Jim Gerlach would be an excellent candidate should he decide to run. If not, I think State Senator Jane Orie deserves a close look.

  • Steve

    Mid-state resident Marc Scaringi has already announced his intentions to run against Bobby Casey.
    http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Scaringi-For-US-Senate-2012/163632473668788

  • TomW

    How about former Rep. Melissa Hart?

  • Jim

    Sam Rohrer. He got some experience campaigning state-wide and has a dedicated following. Considering that he’s pretty well-known with republicans and is certainly conservative enough, I think he could certainly get the nomination. Basically, anyone that gets the nomination could take out Casey.

  • The Nazarene

    What about Lynn Swann?

    He has already run a state-wide campaign and has plenty of name recognition. Plus he could potentially benefit from a high African-American turnout that could be expected with Obama also being on the ballot in 2012. And if the public still has an anti-career politician sentiment then his lack of experience in politics could be a benefit. Personally, I would rather see him run for a house seat in Western PA, but just throwing out an idea.

  • Aaron Perhach

    What about Mark Schweiker?

  • Pingback: Is Bob Casey next?

  • Wolfgang

    Sam Rohrer is the best but would he be able to compete state-wide? Gerlach has been disappointing in recent continuing resolution votes, looking more like a Democrat. Would he be another Specter? Tom Ridge doesn’t have the fire. Aren’t there any young conservatives like Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota, or Eric Cantor of Virginia to take on Casey?

  • Donnie J

    The only person that could beat casey would be a state recognized name, remember that is how he got elected. Half the people that voted for him thought he was the ex-gov, which was Bob Sr. Mark Schweiker could win, but I don’t know who else. We can’t let this one slip away, bobby has no record to speak of because he just does whatever chuck schumer tells him to.

  • L Dommel

    Bob Casey has got to GO!!! He does not represent the people, he is a lap dog that’s it!!!! I will work in my neighborhood to pass a form around on Casey voting record (that is how much I feel he does not represent me!!!)

  • Ox

    If SB1 gets passed, the person to watch may very well be Students First Pa. Chair, Joe Watkins. This guy has more lives than a cat, was well received (especially in Western Pa.) when he ran for Pa. Lt. Gov in 2010 and may be on the right side of history this time, enough so to afford him a closer look by the powerbrokers in the PaGOP.

    And those funders of school choice have lots of money and are willing to spend it. Exhibit A: State Senator Anthony Williams’ failed Gubernatorial run.

  • Wolfgang

    I am staggered by the apparent lack of interest in advancing an unbeatable candidate to run against Bob Casey. Here it is coming upon a year before the election and these pages are scant with ideas and really strong suggestions. It all sounds like a rehash of “has beens.” No wonder this state gets the likes of Arlen Specter, Harris Wofford and Bob Casey. While it may be true that a recognized name is essential, that recognized name should not be just another of the old guard. We are very lucky to have Pat Toomey and need to come up with a really exciting, charismatic, and articulate conservative to unseat Casey. Casey should be extremely vulnerable since he is a lap dog of Obama and Obama’s chances of re-election are diminishing steadly. Let’s go Keystone Conservatives!

  • Steve

    Sam Rohrer is the only constitutional conservatives choice! Go SAM!

  • http://www.independentsolutions.blogspot.com StevenAK

    Ridge would have a chance. The others no way Meakem—are you nuts? I tried to listen to him on the radio—totally misleading and angry. Would not campaign well at all.

  • Mark Link

    What companies support Bob Casey, anyways? I can’t believe he’s able to raise as much money as he does! Does anyone know a good website to find dirt on Casey?

  • TIM

    CASEY IS NO GOOD FOR PA.VOTE THEM ALL OUT!!!

  • Joseph Dupont

    I would vote for anyone other than Casey who sold us down the river with Obama Care. The problem with Sam Rohrer is that he could not or would not try to stop the right in campaign against Gov. Corbett. That is not leadership. Yes I would vote for him rather than Casey , but I’d feel much better pulling the lever for someone else.

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