Free Republic

With Democratic State Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr. on the verge of announcing he will run for the U.S. Senate next year, fellow Democrat and former Treasurer Barbara Hafer surprised his camp Wednesday by beating him to the punch and entering the race. "We're in it," Mrs. Hafer, 61, of Allegheny County, told The Associated Press. "I'm getting a campaign up and running." Earlier in the day, two sources close to Mr. Casey told The Tribune he was close to announcing a run for the Democratic Senate nomination and a fall contest against U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, the presumptive Republican...

Sources: Casey Announcement on Senate Race Imminent; Will Challenge Santorum PoliticsPA is the first to report that State Treasurer Bobby Casey Jr. has decided to challenge Senator Rick Santorum. Casey is long considered the most formidable challenger to our junior Senator, and promises to be among the most highly-watched and costly races of the 2006 campaign cycle. Later this week, the Democratic leaders from the United States Senate will be in Philadelphia. Sources also tell PoliticsPA that former Treasurer Barbara Hafer is also likely run. EMILY's List, the pro-choice women's PAC has pledged to support Hafer over Casey in the...

The primary players will deny it. But the rumor gaining momentum in political circles is that Republican stare Treasurer Barbara Hafer might attempt to unseat GOP Sen. Rick Santorum in 2006. And that she would do so running as a Democrat. Hafer stunned Republicans last year by publicly supporting Democra Ed Rendell for governor. Political observers have wondered ever since how the governor would repay her for her shocking switch. One theory being whispered is Rendell will lend his considerable fund-raising acumen to Hafer's Senate bid, which would be the only way Babs could realistically hope to match the amount...