(06/01/06) -

Casey Gains Five Points in Pennsylvania

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Democratic Party candidate Bob Casey has extended his advantage in Pennsylvania’s election to the United States Senate, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 56 per cent of respondents in the Keystone State would vote for Casey, while 33 per cent would support Republican incumbent Rick Santorum.

(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Democratic Party candidate Bob Casey has extended his advantage in Pennsylvania’s election to the United States Senate, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 56 per cent of respondents in the Keystone State would vote for Casey, while 33 per cent would support Republican incumbent Rick Santorum.

Casey has been Pennsylvania’s state treasurer since January 2005, and previously served as the state auditor general for eight years. Casey is the son of former Pennsylvania governor Robert P. Casey, and lost the 2002 Democratic primary to current governor Ed Rendell.

Santorum was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1994, and earned a second term in 2000, defeating Democrat Ron Klink with 53 per cent of all cast ballots. He had previously served for two consecutive terms in the House of Representatives.

Since late April, backing for Casey increased by five points, while support for Santorum fell by the same margin. On May 16, Casey defeated university professor Chuck Pennacchio and attorney Alan Sandals in the Democratic primary with 85 per cent of all cast ballots.

Last month, Santorum renewed his challenge for Casey to participate in 10 pre-election debates, saying, “Come out from behind the name and come out before the voters of Pennsylvania and talk about the issues important to this campaign. The people have a right to know what you think.”

The Democrats have not elected a Pennsylvanian to a full term in the U.S. Senate since 1962. The election is scheduled for Nov. 7.

Polling Data

Election 2006 – Pennsylvania Senate