David McCormick poses for photos at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse, in this Nov. 20, 2016 file photo in Bedminster, N.J. McCormick is running in the 2022 Republican primary election in the wide-open race for the Pennsylvania seat being vacated by two-term Republican Sen. Pat Toomey. The race has attracted wealthy and well-connected transplants, and homers.
Carolyn Kaster / AP Photo
Carolyn Kaster / AP Photo
David McCormick poses for photos at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse, in this Nov. 20, 2016 file photo in Bedminster, N.J. McCormick is running in the 2022 Republican primary election in the wide-open race for the Pennsylvania seat being vacated by two-term Republican Sen. Pat Toomey. The race has attracted wealthy and well-connected transplants, and homers.
(Harrisburg) — The Pennsylvania Republican party on Saturday decided against endorsing in huge primary fields for governor, U.S. Senate and lieutenant governor, ensuring that this spring’s races will be that much more wide open.
The party banned reporters from the ballroom where it held its winter meeting at a Lancaster hotel. However, committee members and candidates said the party held a voice vote against endorsing.
Party committee members had predicted for months that nobody would win an endorsement.
In addition, no candidate can claim the endorsement of Donald Trump. The former president had endorsed Sean Parnell in the Senate primary, but Parnell ended his campaign in November amid an ugly custody battle with his estranged wife.
It is the first time in decades that Pennsylvania has held an election for an open Senate seat and an open governor’s office.
The primary field for governor is double-digits deep, while the fields for Senate and lieutenant governor each feature at least a half-dozen candidates.
The Senate field is notable for wealthy and well-connected candidates moving from out of state to run, including Mehmet Oz, best known as daytime TV’s host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and David McCormick, the just-resigned CEO of one of the world’s largest hedge funds.
Both candidates and their allies, meanwhile, are spending millions of dollars on TV ads. The primary is May 17.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
