Casey wins second term in Senate
By Matt Smith and Nia Nicholson
Senator Bob Casey Jr. won Centre County by a narrow margin yesterday, helping him win a second six-year term in office.
He defeated Tom Smith, a Republican from western Pennsylvania who waged a fierce fight, spending millions of dollar on campaign advertising.
As of press time Centre County results were extremely tight.. With 86 of 89 precincts reporting, Casey led by roughly 1,800 votes.
The close nature of the election was in stark contrast to six years ago, where Casey won 57 percent to 43 percent in Centre County, defeating then incumbent Senator Rick Santorum.
Casey became the first Democrat to be elected to a second full term in the U.S. Senate since Joe Clark in 1962..
The senator carried the overall state 56 percent to 42 percent, slightly lower than his 59 to 41 percent victory against incumbent Senator Rick Santorum six years ago.
The senator’s re-election comes as the Democratic Party retains its majority in the Senate. As of press time, the Democrats held onto 50 seats within the Senate, with only 51 needed for a majority. CNN projected that the Democrats would pick up the majority later on in the evening.
During interviews yesterday, many voters said they were sticking to their party allegiances.
“I’m a Democrat through and through,” said Penn State student and State College resident Laura Forworth. “I voted for Barack for President and just went Democratic with everything else.”
“Romney scares me,” State College resident James Hemp said. “I just voted straight Democratic on this one. They just don’t scare me as much.”
Republican leaning voters, on the other hand, stuck with Tom Smith along with their vote for Mitt Romney and other Republican leaders.
“I just think the Republicans have a better handle on the economy and creating jobs,” Penn State student Nick Daily said. “I voted for Romney and decided to stick Republican for the Senate position.”
The son of former Pennsylvania Gov. Bob Casey Sr., Casey Jr. grew up around politics and sought to follow his father’s footsteps by running for the governor in 2002, only to lose the nomination to Ed Rendell.
Casey Jr., like his father, had served as state auditor general. Casey Jr. was also Pennsylvania state treasurer.
The newly re-elected senator has become a mainstay in Washington during his six years. Casey endorsed Barack Obama as President early on in 2008, and has supported several of the President’s policies. Casey voted for the healthcare legislation commonly known as “Obamacare” and has openly vouched for new energy solutions within Pennsylvania as opposed to open oil drilling.
His Republican opponent in the 2012 election, Tom Smith, had owned both a bus and trucking company throughout his career before making most of his living in the coal mining industry, where he owned and operated several mining sites.
By Matt Smith and Nia Nicholson
Senator Bob Casey Jr. won Centre County by a narrow margin yesterday, helping him win a second six-year term in office.
He defeated Tom Smith, a Republican from western Pennsylvania who waged a fierce fight, spending millions of dollar on campaign advertising.
As of press time Centre County results were extremely tight.. With 86 of 89 precincts reporting, Casey led by roughly 1,800 votes.
The close nature of the election was in stark contrast to six years ago, where Casey won 57 percent to 43 percent in Centre County, defeating then incumbent Senator Rick Santorum.
Casey became the first Democrat to be elected to a second full term in the U.S. Senate since Joe Clark in 1962..
The senator carried the overall state 56 percent to 42 percent, slightly lower than his 59 to 41 percent victory against incumbent Senator Rick Santorum six years ago.
The senator’s re-election comes as the Democratic Party retains its majority in the Senate. As of press time, the Democrats held onto 50 seats within the Senate, with only 51 needed for a majority. CNN projected that the Democrats would pick up the majority later on in the evening.
During interviews yesterday, many voters said they were sticking to their party allegiances.
“I’m a Democrat through and through,” said Penn State student and State College resident Laura Forworth. “I voted for Barack for President and just went Democratic with everything else.”
“Romney scares me,” State College resident James Hemp said. “I just voted straight Democratic on this one. They just don’t scare me as much.”
Republican leaning voters, on the other hand, stuck with Tom Smith along with their vote for Mitt Romney and other Republican leaders.
“I just think the Republicans have a better handle on the economy and creating jobs,” Penn State student Nick Daily said. “I voted for Romney and decided to stick Republican for the Senate position.”
The son of former Pennsylvania Gov. Bob Casey Sr., Casey Jr. grew up around politics and sought to follow his father’s footsteps by running for the governor in 2002, only to lose the nomination to Ed Rendell.
Casey Jr., like his father, had served as state auditor general. Casey Jr. was also Pennsylvania state treasurer.
The newly re-elected senator has become a mainstay in Washington during his six years. Casey endorsed Barack Obama as President early on in 2008, and has supported several of the President’s policies. Casey voted for the healthcare legislation commonly known as “Obamacare” and has openly vouched for new energy solutions within Pennsylvania as opposed to open oil drilling.
His Republican opponent in the 2012 election, Tom Smith, had owned both a bus and trucking company throughout his career before making most of his living in the coal mining industry, where he owned and operated several mining sites.
By Matt Smith and Nia Nicholson
Senator Bob Casey Jr. won Centre County by a narrow margin yesterday, helping him win a second six-year term in office.
He defeated Tom Smith, a Republican from western Pennsylvania who waged a fierce fight, spending millions of dollar on campaign advertising.
As of press time Centre County results were extremely tight.. With 86 of 89 precincts reporting, Casey led by roughly 1,800 votes.
The close nature of the election was in stark contrast to six years ago, where Casey won 57 percent to 43 percent in Centre County, defeating then incumbent Senator Rick Santorum.
Casey became the first Democrat to be elected to a second full term in the U.S. Senate since Joe Clark in 1962..
The senator carried the overall state 56 percent to 42 percent, slightly lower than his 59 to 41 percent victory against incumbent Senator Rick Santorum six years ago.
The senator’s re-election comes as the Democratic Party retains its majority in the Senate. As of press time, the Democrats held onto 50 seats within the Senate, with only 51 needed for a majority. CNN projected that the Democrats would pick up the majority later on in the evening.
During interviews yesterday, many voters said they were sticking to their party allegiances.
“I’m a Democrat through and through,” said Penn State student and State College resident Laura Forworth. “I voted for Barack for President and just went Democratic with everything else.”
“Romney scares me,” State College resident James Hemp said. “I just voted straight Democratic on this one. They just don’t scare me as much.”
Republican leaning voters, on the other hand, stuck with Tom Smith along with their vote for Mitt Romney and other Republican leaders.
“I just think the Republicans have a better handle on the economy and creating jobs,” Penn State student Nick Daily said. “I voted for Romney and decided to stick Republican for the Senate position.”
The son of former Pennsylvania Gov. Bob Casey Sr., Casey Jr. grew up around politics and sought to follow his father’s footsteps by running for the governor in 2002, only to lose the nomination to Ed Rendell.
Casey Jr., like his father, had served as state auditor general. Casey Jr. was also Pennsylvania state treasurer.
The newly re-elected senator has become a mainstay in Washington during his six years. Casey endorsed Barack Obama as President early on in 2008, and has supported several of the President’s policies. Casey voted for the healthcare legislation commonly known as “Obamacare” and has openly vouched for new energy solutions within Pennsylvania as opposed to open oil drilling.
His Republican opponent in the 2012 election, Tom Smith, had owned both a bus and trucking company throughout his career before making most of his living in the coal mining industry, where he owned and operated several mining sites.
