Casey, McCormick to debate three times in key contest for U.S. Senate

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania and his Republican opponent, former hedge fund CEO David McCormick, will debate three times this fall — including once in Pittsburgh — the campaigns announced Thursday.

The other two debates were scheduled for Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Dates were not announced.

Both men won their primaries without opposition on Tuesday.

"In keeping with Pennsylvania's proud history of political debates, Senator Casey is ready to make his case for re-election and looks forward to engaging his opponent on the issues that matter to the Commonwealth," his campaign said in a statement.

Mr. McCormick, a former official in the George W. Bush administration, quickly responded with a post on X: "Glad to hear it. See you there."

The race, which strategists of both major parties expect to be one of the most expensive and competitive in the country, could determine which party controls the Senate in 2025.

Mr. Casey has won each of his three Senate elections by at least 9 percentage points. The son of a former governor, he was previously the state treasurer and auditor general.

Mr. McCormick, a veteran whose family grew up in Bloomsburg, narrowly lost a Senate primary in 2022 to celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz, who had been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

This time, the former Bridgewater Associates chief executive has Mr. Trump's backing and Mr. McCormick has returned the favor.

Abortion, foreign policy including the Israel-Hamas war, immigration and the economy have been early flashpoints in the race.

Mr. McCormick has sought to paint Mr. Casey as a "rubber stamp" for Mr. Biden, while the senator and Democrats have accused Mr. McCormick of being a carpetbagger since he rents a home in Connecticut, the same argument used effectively against Dr. Oz.