Senator Bob Casey calls to protect our children and ensure our safety here, at home. 

“My agenda is about putting Pennsylvania first,” the Democratic senate candidate said when asked about distancing himself from President Obama.

 Casey is 52 years old and from Scranton. He is looking to keep his position as one of Pennsylvania’s two senators. Casey is up against Tom Smith, and looking to become the first Democrat elected to a second term in the senate from Pennsylvania since 1962.

Casey got his start in politics in 1996 as he was elected Pennsylvania State Auditor General and served two terms from 1997-2005.  He first ran for Pennsylvania Governor in Democratic primary election against Ed Rendell.  Casey lost the primary as Rendell went on to win the general election later in the year.

In 2005, Casey was asked to run for U.S. senate in 2006 against Republican incumbent Rick Santorum.  Casey announced he would run and was supported by, now Governor Rendell immediately after the announcement. 

In the democratic primary, Casey faced two competitors, Chuck Pennacchio and Alan Sandals, who argued his views were too conservative for most Pennsylvania democrats.  Casey defeated both men by receiving 85 percent of the votes.  Casey then went on to win the senate position with the highest margin of victory for a senate position in Pennsylvania, with 59 percent of the votes. 

Casey is up for re-election in 2012, but his success is unknown at this point. As he started in office he supported President Obama in the 2008 campaign.  Casey’s relationship with the president will determine whether he will be elected in this upcoming election. 

“The Scranton area is hugely important in 2012,” The National Journal noted. “The city has among the worst unemployment in the state, and it’s filled with blue-collar democrats who weren’t very enthusiastic about Obama when he first ran for president. How Casey navigates his relationship with the president will speak volumes about his re-election prospects.”

“Casey serves on five Senate committees: Foreign Relations; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; the Special Committee on Aging and the Joint Economic Committee.”

Casey’s focus has been on passing laws to help facilitate oil production overseas, with the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, and Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act.