State Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr. announced today that he will enter the race against Republican U.S.
Sen. Rick Santorum in 2006.
The race is bound to draw national attention, as Democrats are expected to pour significant resources into
defeating Santorum, a leader of the Republican-controlled Senate and possible presidential candidate.
Republicans, including White House political strategist Karl Rove, have already placed Santorum's reelection
among their top priorities in 2006.
In a statement, Casey said he decided to run after the Republican-controlled Congress took the November
election results as "a mandate to increase the speed and severity of their push to undermine policies that protect middle-income
working families."
"As Senator, I will fight everyday to put middle-class families first," Casey said.
He said he would oppose efforts by President Bush to change the Social Security system by allowing the creation
of personal investment accounts using payroll taxes.
"As Senator, I will fight to protect and strengthen Social Security and will oppose any privatization plan
that cuts benefits, requires massive borrowing from foreign countries or does nothing to improve the solvency of the Social
Security system," Casey said.
At least two other Democrats might challenge Casey: Barbara Hafer, a former state treasurer from Western
Pennsylvania, and former U.S. Rep. Joseph Hoeffel of Montgomery County.
Casey, 44, was elected auditor general in 1996 and re-elected in 2000. In 2002, he ran unsuccessfully for
the Democratic nomination for governor. In 2004, he was elected state treasurer and took office in January.
