The political landscape in Pennsylvania shifted dramatically when President Joe Biden announced he was suspending his reelection campaign and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. This move had a ripple effect down the ballot, with U.S. Senate Candidate Dave McCormick seizing the opportunity to contrast his energy goals with Harris’ stance on fracking. McCormick released an ad highlighting Harris’ liberal comments and tying Senator Bob Casey’s endorsement of her to being out of touch with Pennsylvanians. McCormick has spent months linking Casey to Biden, who has a high disapproval rating.
Former President Donald Trump and McCormick focused on comments made by Harris in 2019 where she expressed support for banning fracking. However, Harris and her campaign have since clarified that she does not intend to ban fracking. Trump’s accusations were dismissed as a distraction from his own energy policies by the Harris campaign. McCormick criticized the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to energy, emphasizing a need for pro-energy policies that would benefit Pennsylvania. He toured a small gas and oil operation to better understand how the industry operates and develop legislation on energy.
McCormick unveiled his “Keystone Agenda” earlier this year, which aims to unleash Pennsylvania’s energy potential by removing restrictions on gas and oil projects, embracing all forms of energy production, and using natural resources to achieve energy independence. Despite McCormick’s attacks on Casey, the Senator’s campaign reaffirmed his commitment to responsible fracking and his record of voting against fracking bans. The Casey campaign portrayed McCormick as a wealthy outsider with questionable ties to China and a dangerous stance on issues such as abortion.
The race for the Pennsylvania Senate seat is shaping up to be a battle between two contrasting views of the future of the state and the country. McCormick and Trump stand on one side, advocating for a robust energy sector and economic policies that benefit working people. On the other side are the Biden-Harris-Casey alliance, with a focus on responsible energy production and holding corporations accountable. McCormick views the election as a fundamental choice between these two visions, highlighting the significant differences in approach. The outcome of this race could have far-reaching implications for Pennsylvania and its energy industry.
