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U.S. Sen. Bob Casey’s campaign raised more than $4 million during the second quarter of this year, a quarterly fundraising record for the incumbent Democrat who plans to seek reelection next year.
Casey, a Democrat from Scranton, announced April 10 that he is seeking a fourth term in Washington. Casey’s closest race came in 2012, when he won by 9 percentage points.
Last year’s U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania was the most expensive race in state history, with the candidates bringing in more than $420 million combined. Democrat John Fetterman, a former Braddock mayor, defeated Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz by about 5 percentage points.
As for Republican opponents this year, former hedge fund CEO and 2022 U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick said in May that he is “seriously considering” a run. McCormick was born in Western Pennsylvania and moved back to Pittsburgh last year.
Pennsylvania Rising, the PAC affiliated with McCormick, recently moved its offices into Downtown Pittsburgh. The PAC is chaired by Allegheny County Councilman and Allegheny County GOP Chair Sam DeMarco.
The McCormick campaign has not officially launched, so didn’t have campaign figures to share, but Pennsylvania Rising has been active. The PAC recently raised tens of thousands of dollars for a Republican state House candidate and received a large boost from Montgomery County billionaire and Republican megadonor Jeff Yass, who donated $1 million to Pennsylvania Rising in June, according to campaign finance reports.
McCormick said in a statement that “it’s time for Pennsylvania Republicans to start winning again, and we do that by devoting resources to candidates who can bring home a victory this November.”
Casey, 63, has held some form of statewide office since 1996, including two terms as auditor general, a partial term as state treasurer and three terms as U.S. Senator. His campaign said he has $6 million cash on hand.
A May poll from Harrisburg-based Susquehanna Polling and Research Inc. put Casey 13 percentage points ahead of McCormick in a potential matchup.
Venkat brings in more than $200K
State Rep. Arvind Venkat, D-McCandless, also recently announced an impressive fundraising haul for his first significant push at reelection.
Venkat’s campaign committee raised $224,000 in the second quarter, according to state campaign finance reports. He has more than $212,000 in cash on hand.
The North Hills Democrat has shown fundraising prowess since entering politics last year. In the second quarter of 2022, he raised $460,000, the most among any Western Pennsylvania Democratic state House candidate at the time.
Venkat is the only Indian-American member and the only physician in the state House. He said his unique perspective is appreciated by donors.
Venkat’s 30th state House District includes Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Emsworth, Franklin Park, Kilbuck, McCandless, Ohio Township and parts of Hampton. The district is highly competitive, with voter registration split nearly evenly between Democrats and Republicans, according to Dave’s Redistricting App, a tool that analyzes legislative districts.
A Republican candidate has not yet announced in the 30th District.
Ryan Deto is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Ryan by email at rdeto@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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