PHILADELPHIA — Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican Dave McCormick won uncontested primaries in Pennsylvania Tuesday, launching what is expected to be one of the most expensive and politically consequential Senate contests in state history.

McCormick lost the 2022 Republican Senate primary to celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz by less than half a percentage point, but this time around the former hedge fund CEO and combat veteran coalesced support early to clear an easy path to the nomination.

“I believe in America,” McCormick told a Harrisburg TV station in an interview ahead of the primary. “I’ve served my country on multiple occasions in the past. I think we’re in trouble. And I believe that when elected to the Senate, I can do something about it.”

Casey’s Senate seat is one of 23 that Democrats are trying to defend this election, compared to just 11 seats for the GOP.

“I’m running … to continue to deliver for the people of Pennsylvania,” Casey said in a Zoom call with reporters this weekend, after a string of his campaign events were canceled due to a pending Senate vote on a foreign aid package.

Given the national stakes, both parties are prepared to drop a glut of money into the general election race after the noncompetitive primary.

McCormick already has the backing of a super PAC that’s raked in more than $21 million, funded by hedge fund CEOs. And various outside Democratic groups have pledged to put millions behind supporting Casey’s candidacy.

Casey, a governor’s son first elected to the Senate in 2006, is a familiar name in Pennsylvania. He’s handily won his past Senate contests, but he’s never faced a challenger as well-funded as McCormick.

Presidential contest will overshadow Senate race, shape strategy

This year’s Senate contest is almost guaranteed to be more muted in tone than the heated 2022 midterm battle between Sen. John Fetterman and celebrity doctor Oz.

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