Pennsylvania

Incumbents Bob Casey, Tom Carper Are Projected Winners in Pennsylvania, Delaware Senate Races, Defeating GOP Challengers

Casey used statewide name recognition and strong Democratic voter turnout to beat Trump ally, Lou Barletta

What to Know

  • Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, 58, sought a third term in the U.S. Senate.
  • His challenger, two-term U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, had the backing of President Donald Trump.
  • Delaware's Democratic incumbent, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, faced off against a Republican businessman.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. is the projected winner of a third term to represent Pennsylvania, defeating Republican challenger and strong Trump ally Lou Barletta, according to NBC News.

In Delaware, incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Carper beat back a challenge Tuesday from Republican businessman and Sussex County Councilman Rob Arlett.

Casey, the son of a former Pennsylvania governor, polled well ahead of Barletta throughout the campaign. Despite serving four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives representing the Wilkes-Barre region, Barletta could not gain traction with voters on a statewide level.

Like many contests throughout the country, the race for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania turned, very early on, into a referendum on President Donald Trump.

Casey has needled Trump the last two years on economic and immigration issues. Barletta positioned himself as a Trump advocate. Political observers described him as Trump before Trump. Indeed, Barletta made national headlines more than a decade ago when, as mayor of Hazleton in northeast Pennsylvania, he pushed hard-line anti-immigration laws locally.

Casey's name recognition and broad coalition of supporters proved too strong. He was backed by labor unions, gay-rights organizations and environmental advocacy groups.

Carper, one of the most prominent politicians in the First State's history, has served previously as governor and congressman.

Tuesday's election wasn't likely to change the political hue in solidly blue Delaware, although voters did have the chance to make the picture a little rosier for Republicans, who hoped Tuesday to end one-party control of the state legislature. That outcome remains uncertain.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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