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Potential Challengers for Senator Bob Casey in 2012

by admin on November 4, 2010

in Editorial,PA News,Senate 2012,U.S. News

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.

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Thoughts on the PA Senate Race 2010

by admin on May 1, 2009

in Editorial,Senate Races

Ruminate:

transitive verb

1 : to go over in the mind repeatedly and often casually or slowly

2 : to chew repeatedly for an extended period

Here are my ruminations on the state of the PA GOP in regards to the upcoming primary race for the Senate.

In case you are living in a cave somewhere here is the summary of what’s been going on. In 2004 Toomey ran against Specter and lost by the skin of his teeth and a few high power politicians flown in to campaign for Specter in the 11th hour. Because of the stimulus bill and Specters ever declining popularity among hard line conservatives Toomey decided to jump in for round two. Specter, seeing the inevitable switches parties to save his seat (aka save his rear end).

In all of this Toomey has been the “anti Specter” and now with Specter out of the picture Toomey will have to rebrand quickly. Also Specer leaving has created a vacuum that will quickly start filling up with aspiring PA republicans.

Also based on Chairman Gleason’s recent statements

“I am deeply disappointed in Senator Arlen Specter’s decision to leave the Republican Party, as he has benefited from the support of our Party for many years. It is apparent that he chose to act in his own self-interest and put his political ambitions first. The Republican Party has room for conservatives and moderates because we are the Party of ideas.

It sounds to me like the GOP party bosses are scrambling to find someone with moderate and conservative appeal that they can endorse to run against Specter in the general, and just so you know Toomey isn’t that guy.

Two things may happen, either the GOP finds a moldable candidate that can generally appeal to the hard right base or they go with an established moderate candidate. However if they go with with Specter version 2.0 the base will revolt and elect Toomey who will then loose in the general. If they are able to find a moldable candidate they may be able to molify the base and then recast him for the general election.

Either way Toomey is going to be out in the cold. Well that’s my 2 cents anyway.

p.s. I’m keeping my eye on Gerlach and Ridge to see if they get asked to jump into the pool.

Comments, thoughts?

1 comment