PA-Sen: Roll Call Proclaims Toomey’s Seat is A “Race to Watch”

Written by Ryan Fucci, Contributing Writer

Less than two weeks after Sabato’s Crystal Ball called Toomey’s seat a “toss-up”, Roll Call has deemed the Pennsylvania Senate race as one to watch in 2016.

According to Emily Cahn of Roll Call, a central question of the race will be whether Toomey can appeal to the political center. The Senator is a strong fiscal conservative, at one time serving as President of The Club for Growth.

What makes the race all the more interesting is determining the Democratic nominee. As of today, only Joe Sestak has tossed his hat into the ring, and his support has been lukewarm.

The other major factor in the Senate race is that 2016 is a presidential election year. Pennsylvania hasn’t voted for a GOP nominee since 1988, so Toomey has to attract split-ticket voters in hopes of winning.

It should be noted, however, that Arlen Specter was able to win re-election in 1992 and 2004, and Rick Santorum won a second term in 2000, despite the top of the ticket going blue. Sen. Toomey hopes to replicate that feat.

December 22nd, 2014 | Posted in Front Page Stories, Senate, Top Stories | 14 Comments