Candidates Agree: Dump Casey & Obama

Pa. GOP Senate hopefuls are champions of conservative values

Candidates competing for the Republican nomination for Senate in Pennsylvania are united in their support for changing course, a sharp conservative right turn.

The five Republicans campaigning for a chance to face Democratic Sen. Bob Casey in the general election are: David Christian, Sam Rohrer, Marc Scaringi, Tom Smith and Steve Welch. Casey is being challenged in the Democratic primary by Joseph Vodvarka.

Marc Scaringi, an attorney from Pittsburgh, received an endorsement on Monday from Liberty-Candidates.org, a group that also backs Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul. Other endorsed ‘Liberty Candidates’ are described on the website as fiscally conservative, defenders of individual liberty, free market supporters and believers in anon-interventionist foreign policy.

"I entered this race well over a year ago because I want to be part of restoring the governing principles that made this country the strongest and most prosperous in the world,” said Scaringi in response to the endorsement. “I believe strongly that our nation must return to its constitutional foundation, which is based on the belief in limited government and personal liberty.”

The large and influential Independence Hall Tea Party PAC handed its endorsement to former coal industry executive Tom Smith. The tri-state PAC represents groups in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware and in Jan. endorsed Mitt Romney in the presidential race.

"I'm honored to have the support of this grassroots conservative organization," said Smith. "I share their concern for the future of this country and look forward to working with them to retire Senator Casey and get our nation back on track."

During an appearance on NBC10 @ Issue on April, 1, Welch, Scaringi, Rohrer and Christian agreed that optimism about America’s future is tied to putting the nation on a conservative course, beginning with defeating Casey and Pres. Obama in November.

When asked by NBC10 @ Issue host Steve Highsmith to sum up their positions and why each should be elected, Welch, the state GOP-backed candidate, called for an end to career politicians and said he supports moves to bring new people into the Republican Party. Scaringi said the current administration’s agenda should be stopped and replaced with a commitment to restoring freedom and independence.

Rohrer touted his voting record in the Pa. state House and said he favors limited government regulations and called himself a champion of the Second Amendment. Christian, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War and veterans’ advocate, said he is a ‘Ronald Reagan’ Republican and a proven leader who can restore jobs to Pa.

Tom Smith, a former coal industry executive, was unable to attend the program taping.

The Pa. primary is set for April 24, the same day as the Delaware Presidential primary and primaries in New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Watch NBC10 @ Issue with Steve Highsmith, Sundays at 11:30 a.m. on NBC10 Philadelphia.

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