Editorial: The final pitches from the candidates
Share this post:
For months, Pennsylvania has been the focus of much of the American political world.
The campaign of former President Donald Trump has been looking to the Republican stretches in rural areas and trying to carve off the edges of Democratic strongholds as he did in 2016.
President Joe Biden spent plenty of time courting the Keystone State before he bowed out of the race in July. Since then, Vice President Kamala Harris has made her journey as the Democratic nominee based heavily in appealing to Pennsylvanians — including Republicans unhappy with Trump’s words and actions.
Pennsylvania was where Trump was shot in July. It’s where Harris introduced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate in August. It’s where surrogates like former President Barack Obama have stumped for Harris and Trump VP pick Sen. JD Vance of Ohio has all but taken up residence. Billionaires abound as Elon Musk pitches for Trump, Mark Cuban for Harris.
And that’s just the top of the ticket. Less flashy but just as important is the U.S. Senate seat on the ballot.
Incumbent Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Scranton, is a Pennsylvania legacy, political heir to his governor father. He seeks his fourth term.
His opponent, Republican businessman Dave McCormick, is taking his second shot at representing the Keystone State in the Senate. He ran in 2022, narrowly edged out for the Republican nomination by Dr. Mehmet Oz for the seat that would ultimately go to Democrat John Fetterman.
While the presidential race is a near-tie fought with loud voices and the heat and light of national attention, the Senate race is more like arm wrestling. It is quieter but no less intense. It is also heavily followed by pollsters and national pundits because of its importance in determining which party will control that chamber.
Today, we have provided the Democratic and Republican candidate for both president and Senate the opportunity for one final direct statement to the Southwestern Pennsylvania voters. These are their words — their closing remarks to readers ahead of the polls opening Tuesday.
Read their words. Read all of them — not just the candidates you favor. Pay attention to both races because both races matter — as do all the U.S. House and state legislative races.
Consider the arguments. Weigh the implications. Make your decision.