Senator Bob Casey was reelected in the United States Senate Tuesday night when he defeated Republican opponent Tom Smith.
Casey won the election with 53.6 percent of the vote as of 12:42 a.m., while Smith received 44.7 percent of it with 98.28 reporting statewide.
According to Casey’s website, sections of his campaign platform included working to provide more family-sustaining jobs, providing healthcare, working to ensure American safety and respect abroad, and protecting the environment.
However, Greg Stewart, chairman of the Centre County Democrats, said Casey’s attitude and temperament is much more important.
“It’s more than just a specific platform,” Stewart said. “He’s very easy going, not very liberal or conservative, and I think he represents Pennsylvania well.”
Stewart said with the U.S Senate, it’s difficult to tell what the next important issue will be.
He said Casey has proven to be an honest, hard-working senator since his election in 2006, and said he was a great public servant.
“A lot of times he’s criticized for not being really flashy, but he’s a hard worker and his heart is always in the right place,” Stewart said. “Whatever he’s doing, he’s always thinking about how it’s going to affect middle class Pennsylvania families.”
In a statement issued by Smith, he congratulated Casey on the win, despite their different views on current issues.
Smith said in the statement that both he and Casey cared deeply for the nation, and they both believe America will continue to improve.
“And though we fell short tonight, we will continue to advocate for the principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility and individual liberty,” Smith said in the statement.
According to Smith’s website, his platforms included the importance of continuing to produce jobs by simplifying the tax code, stopping the high amount of federal spending and repealing and replacing ObamaCare.
Chairman of the Penn State College Republicans Jordan Harris said he did not expect Smith to win the race.
However, he said Smith made energy a focal point, which was very important.
“The future of this state, it’s in natural gas. It’s in coal,” Harris (senior-history and economics) said. “It’s going to make the state a booming state over the course of the next few decades.”
