David McCormick announces Pennsylvania Senate campaign, expected to bypass contentious primary race.

Army veteran and former Bridgewater CEO David McCormick has officially ​launched his Senate campaign ⁤against Democratic incumbent Bob⁤ Casey. This is a significant development for the GOP establishment,‍ which sought a top-tier ‍candidate in the swing state and aimed ⁣to avoid ⁢a bitter primary fight ⁢like‍ the one McCormick narrowly lost last ⁣year.

McCormick⁣ made his announcement during an evening rally in Pittsburgh, where he criticized the “failed leadership of Joe Biden” and expressed his concern about an “America in ‌decline.” He positioned himself as a combat veteran, successful businessman, and seventh-generation Pennsylvanian who will bring⁣ change to Washington.

“While ‍my opponent was born to ‍run for political office, I⁤ was born to shake things up,” McCormick ‌declared. “I’m the only candidate in this race who‍ can⁢ truly change Washington.”

This campaign launch comes approximately one year after ⁤McCormick’s closely contested primary battle against‍ celebrity doctor ​Mehmet Oz, which he lost by less than 1,000 votes. Despite the division among Republican leaders ⁣during that race, McCormick now enjoys widespread support from⁢ party leaders.

Notably, National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman Steve Daines endorsed⁢ McCormick, praising his ability to unify Pennsylvania’s grassroots.​ Additionally, Republican state⁢ lawmaker Doug Mastriano, who considered his ⁤own Senate run, has⁢ thrown his support behind McCormick and ⁣urged Pennsylvania Republicans to unite around him. The entire Republican congressional ⁤delegation of Pennsylvania​ is ‌also endorsing McCormick, according to a campaign strategist.

Republicans are hopeful that a clear‍ primary field will enable them to gather‍ resources for what ‌is expected to be one ​of the most expensive races in ​the country. Democrats have already ‌identified ⁢Casey’s seat ‌as crucial for maintaining‍ a Senate majority in 2024, while Republicans view it as a ⁣significant opportunity for a pickup.

The Democratic Senatorial ​Campaign Committee sees McCormick as a threat and has taken steps ‍to⁤ undermine him.‍ Months before his announcement,‍ the committee claimed that ‍Mastriano would continue to ⁢influence Pennsylvania Republicans ⁣and attempted⁢ to link⁢ McCormick to ‍Senate ⁢Minority⁣ Leader‌ Mitch McConnell​ and “the‍ establishment.”

In​ August, the committee reportedly paid an opposition researcher, who posed as a journalist, to gather ‍damaging information on McCormick from his acquaintances, as reported by the⁢ Washington Free Beacon.

Just two days before McCormick’s campaign launch, Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor, Josh ⁢Shapiro, announced that⁣ the state ⁣would automatically register individuals who obtain or renew their driver’s licenses. State Republicans criticized this move ⁤as a “unilateral‍ action” on the eve of a highly contested and close ‌election. However, McCormick’s campaign downplayed the impact, ‌stating that they do not anticipate a significant effect.

“The days where an expanded electorate ‍helps the Democrats is probably‌ over,” said⁢ a campaign strategist. “So from our standpoint, we want everyone ⁣who can register⁣ to register, and we⁢ want to go ​out and get their votes.”