The Daily Caller

The Daily Caller
Politics
 Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) is sponsoring a bill that may end up using taxpayer money to support failing union pension funds. (The Patriot News)  

GOPer mulling Senate run in Pennsylvania once voted for Obama

3:47 PM 08/09/2011
Alex Pappas
Political Reporter

Republicans are scrambling to find someone with enough money and political clout to challenge Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey.

The party is keeping a close eye on the seat in advance of the 2012 elections, when it hopes to win a Republican Senate majority.

But is the best Republican challenger someone who voted for President Barack Obama in the Pennsylvania 2008 Democratic primary, and for a Democratic congressman in 2006?

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Steve Welch, a millionaire who was “a Democrat for awhile,” is thinking seriously about running, as he would be able to use his own money to fund a competitive race.

Welch, according to Politico, met with officials at the National Republican Senatorial Committee last week to talk about the race.

Brian Walsh, a spokesman for the NRSC, declined to comment on the report.

But a NRSC source downplayed the significance of the meeting, telling The Daily Caller that the committee meets with anyone who expresses an interest in running for the Senate.

Welch could not be reached for comment. But The Philadelphia Inquirer said he “was a registered Republican, then registered as a Democrat, and changed back in 2009, about the time he was putting himself forward as a potential GOP candidate to succeed then-Rep. Joe Sestak (D.,Pa.) in the Seventh District.”

“Indeed, Welch was a supporter of and donor to Sestak, who was elected in 2006, and left the seat to win the Democratic nomination for Senate in 2010,” the paper noted. “Welch also voted for President Obama in the 2008 Pennsylvania Democratic primary, though he said he voted for John McCain in the fall.”

While running for Congress in 2009, Welch explained his prior support for Sestak: “When the 2006 elections approached, I was one upset Republican,” he wrote. “Congress was spending more and more, and getting less and less actually done.”

“Then one day I got a call from someone who had a pretty good story to sell,” Welch wrote. “Joe Sestak actually came to my house, sat in my kitchen with my wife and me, and spoke about making government live within its means and balancing budgets. He touted how he would be an independent voice. He was selling exactly what a frustrated voter wanted to hear, and I made the mistake of believing him.”

“Not only did I vote for Joe, the Democrat running for the 7th Congressional District seat, but for the first time in my life I even gave a politician a donation for $300,” Welch said.

Marc Scaringi, a Harrisburg lawyer and tea party enthusiast, is the only Republican to throw his hat into the ring so far.

But is the best Republican challenger someone who voted for President Barack Obama in the Pennsylvania 2008 Democratic primary, and for a Democratic congressman in 2006?

Tags: Pennsylvania
  • http://twitter.com/Chris_Conard Chris Conard Shultz

    All the coverage of Welch is gravitating to one fact only. Money. His money, ‘cuz he’s got lots of it, and that being the only “relative” condition that the GOP is craving in this guy. Welch’s own actions (i.e. dropping out of the race he never really began last winter, waffling on his own political party affiliation, not having any clear platform as to why he thinks he *might* want to run) show him not to be candidate material but just someone who has money and thinks that’s what it’s about. After all, this is the message the media is feeding us, including this story. C’mon, the lead starts out “Republicans are scrambling to find someone with enough money…” Really, is that all that’s required?? Welch may be a great guy; I’m not looking to lambast him. But he’s not the candidate wannabe that PA needs. The focus is all wrong. 
         Case in point, Marc Scaringi, who was an aide to Santorum in DC and thoroughly understands the Constitution and how it was meant to be the compass for this country’s leadership — past and present — made a huge commitment last November when he officially filed to run against Casey. He doesn’t have the funding the supposed GOPs are coveting, but he has DC political experience, an expansive knowledge of our country’s political system and the ability to articulate it, a fierce devotion to the taxpaying/voting Pennsylvania citizenry, and the courage to put his personal/professional life on hold, having jumped into this contest at the outset. Scaringi has tirelessly tramped across this state the past 9 months, speaking, meeting and listening to PA voters — he’s visited at least 42 of PA counties to date. There is NO ONE else who can claim that in looking to unseat Casey. No one. Everyone else is *considering* a run, talking with folks in Washington, sitting focus groups, making statements. But no one else is DOING. It’s time the GOP started talking with these monied-up people  asking them to fulfill the role they are best able to in challenging Casey, and that’s putting their $ behind a candidate who is ready, willing and able to walk the walk. Only Scaringi is doing that.

  • Realist4U

    If you understand that Liberalism is a fatal disease, you will not consider this man for a Republican seat. What? We need another John McCain?

  • Mystapitt

    Sam Rohrer would be a great candidate. He ran unsuccessfully for Gov. in the Rep. primary against Corbett and has a state wide organization he can dust off.  He is also a Tea Party fav.

  • Sandy E

    I really wish that Rick Santorum would run against Casey.  He would easily take the seat back from him, as Casey won in a Democrat wave election year.  It will be an overwhelming Republican election year in 2012.  I really like Santorum, but can’t find a path for him to the presidential nomination.  His conservatism, and strong foreign policy knowledge would give the seat back to him by more points than he lost it in 06.  Santorum can use his presidential donation account to mount a serious Senate campaign.