Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Dave McCormick in his Senate campaign in Pennsylvania, despite initial reluctance due to their fraught history dating back to McCormick’s failed primary bid in 2022. McCormick, a former hedge fund executive, is challenging Democrat Bob Casey in a critical Senate battleground. Trump praised McCormick as a good man, smart, and successful, urging supporters to vote for him and criticizing Casey for not doing much. McCormick is running unopposed in the upcoming Republican primary on April 23.
Trump’s endorsement of McCormick comes after he had previously resisted getting involved in the Senate race in Pennsylvania. Sources close to the former president indicated that his hesitance was due to his rocky relationship with McCormick, stemming from their past encounters during the 2022 primary for Pennsylvania’s other Senate seat against Mehmet Oz. Despite this history, Trump ultimately decided to endorse McCormick at a rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, his last official campaign event before his criminal hush money trial begins in New York on Monday.
McCormick was not present at the rally, as he had a previously scheduled family event that he committed to before Trump announced the rally. However, McCormick’s campaign expressed gratitude for Trump’s endorsement, stating that they will work together to secure a win for Pennsylvania and America in the November elections. Trump, who has now endorsed all candidates supported by the National Republican Senatorial Committee in major swing states, has not formally endorsed a candidate in Nevada but hinted at Republican hopeful Sam Brown being a clear choice for the state’s Republican voters and donors.
Overall, Trump’s endorsement of McCormick in the Pennsylvania Senate race highlights the former president’s continued involvement in endorsing Republican candidates in key battleground states. Despite their past differences, Trump ultimately decided to support McCormick, emphasizing his belief in McCormick’s qualifications and abilities to run a successful campaign. With McCormick running unopposed in the upcoming primary and Trump’s endorsement, the stage is set for a competitive Senate race in Pennsylvania that will be closely watched as the November elections approach.
