Senator Bob Casey, a longtime Pennsylvania Democrat, has distanced himself from the defund the police movement, despite recent endorsements from groups advocating for police departments to be defunded. Casey’s campaign spokesperson emphasized his record of supporting law enforcement and providing funding for equipment such as bulletproof vests and SWAT gear. While endorsements from pro-defund advocates like Indivisible Philadelphia have raised concerns, Casey has made it clear that he does not support defunding the police and has voted against federal funding for cities that defund their police departments.
Indivisible Philadelphia, a grassroots organization pushing for progressive change, has been a vocal advocate for defunding the police. The group’s leader, Vicki Miller, stated that police should be funded for policing work while other community issues should be handled by social workers and health officials. Despite this endorsement, Casey has highlighted the need for policing reform, co-sponsoring the Justice in Policing Act of 2020 in response to the protests and riots following George Floyd’s death. The bill aimed to address systemic issues in policing and increase accountability and transparency.
In response to criticism from law enforcement officials in the state, Casey defended his support for the Justice in Policing Act and emphasized the need to address police brutality and systemic racism. While the bill did not pass, it sought to implement significant police reforms, including changes to qualified immunity, bans on chokeholds, and racial profiling training for officers. Casey’s stance has drawn both support and criticism, with some arguing that his alignment with defund the police activists is concerning and could jeopardize public safety in the state.
Despite his support for policing reforms, Casey voted for an amendment in 2021 that would block federal funding to jurisdictions that defund the police. He also backed the American Rescue Plan, which provided funding for Pennsylvania policing, and legislation that allocated federal funding for law enforcement agencies. Facing a tough re-election campaign this year, Casey is preparing to defend his record and earn the trust of voters. His opponent, Republican Dave McCormick, has received endorsements from sheriffs in the state and has criticized Casey for accepting endorsements from defund the police activists.
As the state’s Senate primaries approach, both Casey and McCormick are running unopposed in their respective parties. Casey’s campaign has emphasized his commitment to public safety and his efforts to support law enforcement in Pennsylvania. While facing criticism from some in the law enforcement community, Casey remains focused on his goal of implementing policing reforms and addressing systemic issues in law enforcement. The race for Pennsylvania’s Senate seat is expected to be closely contested, with both candidates working to earn the support of voters in the battleground state.
