By John Cole | Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Even though it’s only March, Pennsylvania’s 2024 U.S. Senate race is all but confirmed for the general election.
As of March 11, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Republican David McCormick will be the only candidates on the primary ballot for U.S. Senate next month.
Democrat Will Parker and Republicans Brandi Tomasetti and Joseph Vodvarka filed nomination petitions to run for the office, but will not appear on the ballot following challenges to their petitions.
The deadline for Parker to appeal was March 14, while the deadline for Vodvarka to appeal is March 18. Neither has indicated whether they plan to appeal, but the primary election is just over a month away. And counties must deliver or mail all mail-in and civilian absentee ballots as soon as they are available and no later than April 9 in any event, according to the Department of State.
Tomasetti withdrew from the race ahead of a March 8 court hearing and criticized Pennsylvania’s voter registration system. She told supporters on social media to “consider writing” her name on the primary ballot.
Casey and McCormick have had their sights set on the general election for the past few months, trading jabs at each other on a variety of issues and each attempting to link the other to the candidate at the top of their respective party’s ticket.
Outside organizations have also pledged financial support in the race, which will likely be one of the most expensive Senate races of 2024..
The Washington Post reported earlier this month that Senate Majority PAC, which supports Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, has reserved $42 million for ads supporting Casey’s reelection bid.
Broadhurst to remain on primary ballot
Businessman John Broadhurst will remain on the primary ballot following a challenge to his nomination petitions. He’s one of six Democrats seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-10th District).
Broadhurst celebrated the news in a video he posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday.
“I have some good news to announce,” Broadhurst said. “The court of the commonwealth has rejected Mike O’Brien’s challenge to our petitions, and so this is going to be a race.”
He encouraged supporters to stay focused on winning the primary to challenge Perry in the fall.
The other Democrats who will appear on the primary ballot are Mike O’Brien, a recently retired Marine; Janelle Stelson, a former longtime anchor at WGAL-TV; Shamaine Daniels, a Harrisburg City Councilwoman; Blake Lynch, a former WITF executive; and Rick Coplen, an Army veteran and Carlisle School Board member.
Perry, former Chair of the conservative U.S. House Freedom Caucus, will be the only Republican on the primary ballot for the 10th Congressional District.
MacDonald ends GOP write-in campaign for PA12
Laurie MacDonald announced Monday that she is ending her write-in campaign as a Republican for the 12th Congressional District.
“I am happy to announce I am not going to Washington DC,” MacDonald wrote on Facebook.
MacDonald, who launched her campaign in January as a Democrat, withdrew from the primary race on March 4 as she was facing a legal challenge to her nomination petitions. She said at the time she would launch a write-in campaign for the Republican Party nomination for the seat.
MacDonald claimed that she was “removed from the ballot due to typical political shenanigans,” without citing any specifics, but said it was a blessing in disguise.
“That world is not for me and I am thankful and grateful for your support,” MacDonald wrote on Facebook.
She thanked supporters during her campaign.
A spokesperson from the MacDonald campaign confirmed to the Capital-Star that she is no longer pursuing a write-in effort for the seat in western Pennsylvania.
U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-Allegheny) and Edgewood Councilmember Bhavini Patel will be the Democrats on the primary ballot, while James Hayes will be the only Republican to appear on the primary ballot for his party.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kim Lyons for questions: info@penncapital-star.com. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and Twitter.
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