Pennsylvania senator Bob Casey (D) announced he will seek a fourth term, boosting Democrats’ chances of holding the Senate majority through a tough 2024 map.
"Folks, I'm running for reelection," Casey said Monday. "There’s still more work to do to cut through the gridlock, stand up to powerful special interests, and make the lives of hardworking Pennsylvanians easier. The map is back, and I’m not done yet."
The senator's announcement is welcome news for Democrats hoping to run a candidate in the swing state with name recognition and proven fundraising ability. The 2024 Senate map will be one of the more difficult for Democrats in years, with the party on defense in both swing states and red states—including Montana, Ohio, and West Virginia. Democrats hold a fragile 51-49 majority. According to legislative tracking site Roll Call, Democrats must defend eight vulnerable seats in 2024 while Republicans will have no vulnerable incumbents.
Casey is a rubber stamp for President Joe Biden’s agenda, voting with Biden 99 percent of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight. He is also close friends with Biden, who shares his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
In response to the announcement, the Senate Republicans' campaign arm criticized Casey for hiring his sister’s company to print campaign handouts. His campaign has paid the printing company more than $500,000 over the last 20 years.
"Bob Casey has made a career of shady self-dealing and selling his voters out to the highest bidder," said Philip Letsou, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Casey said he is running because he wants "to keep delivering results for Pennsylvania." He pointed to helping families, taking on China, and working through Washington gridlock in his statement.
The announcement comes a month after Sen. Jon Tester (D., Mont.) said he would run for reelection, similarly good news for Democrats as they defend the vulnerable seat.