Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick speaks at national convention in Milwaukee

Republican Senate candidate David McCormick called his political opponent, incumbent Democrat Sen. Bob Casey, a “do-nothing, out-of-touch liberal career politician” whose policies align with President Joe Biden and are dangerous for Pennsylvanians and the nation.

His remarks were made during a speech at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Tuesday evening.

“For 18 years, Bob Casey has been warming a chair and drawing a paycheck,” McCormick said. Casey has held his seat since 2007.

McCormick, 58, served as CEO of Bridgewater Associates from 2020 to 2022, before stepping down to run for U.S. Senate. He was narrowly beaten in the Republican primary by Mehmet Oz, who then lost to Democrat John Fetterman in the general election.

Casey, 63, a Democrat from Scranton has led in most polls and never has lost a statewide general election in six tries.

Casey, the son of former Pennsylvania Gov. Bob Casey Sr., is seeking his fourth term in the Senate.

During his convention speech, McCormick briefly touched on his background as a combat veteran, West Point graduate and businessman.

McCormick graduated from West Point and enlisted in the Army in 1987, serving for five years, including a tour as a paratrooper in the first Gulf War, where he was awarded a Bronze Star.

He was born in Washington County and grew up in Bloomsburg, Pa.

But McCormick has faced attacks over his residency. He splits time between a home in Connecticut, and a residence in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, which he purchased in 2021 before his first Senate run in 2022.

Border and policy talk

McCormick joked about the most popular song when Casey was first elected to a statewide position, auditor general, was the “Macarena” by Los Del Rio in 1996.

Casey remained auditor general until 2005, then was state treasurer until 2007, before being elected to the U.S. Senate.

McCormick then linked his political opponent to the southern border crisis and how the influx of narcotics is impacting American families.

“Sadly, this is no joke,” McCormick said. “Politics is about choices, and the policies of Biden and Bob Casey are dangerous for Pennsylvania and America. They won’t keep us safe.

“Drugs have poured across the Biden, (Kamala) Harris, Casey wide-open borders killing 100,000 Americans, including 4,000 Pennsylvanians last year alone. Illegal immigrants have victimized innocent young women who could easily be your daughter or mine. Time (and) again Casey has voted for pro-criminal judges who have made our streets across Pennsylvania more dangerous.”

McCormick also said Biden and Casey’s policies have “crushed” working American families with sky-high prices for gas, groceries and rent as well as regulations to kill natural gas drilling.

McCormick received rousing applause from the convention crowd at the start of his speech when he asked attendees if they were ready to “retire” President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as elect Donald Trump and his vice presidential selection J.D. Vance and send Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer “packing.”

Rally shooting

The theme of the evening was “Make American Safe Once Again,” just days after a Bethel Park man shot Trump, killed a rally attendee and injured two others at a rally in Butler County.

McCormick talked about the incident prior to commenting about Casey.

“I witnessed firsthand from a front-row seat in Butler (County) President Trump’s remarkable strength and resolve in a terrifying, terrifying and unpredictable moment,” McCormick said.

“The president rose brilliantly to the challenge, but what a sad, sad and frightening day for the families of those who were injured or lost and for our great country. We all thank God that President Trump is OK.”

The shooter, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, was killed at the scene. The shooting remains under investigation.

Choice in November

McCormick closed his near five-minute speech by talking about the choice for voters in November.

“It’s a choice between strength and weakness,” he said. “A choice between America’s greatness or its sad, disgraceful decline.

“This is, my friends, the most important election of our lifetimes, and we deserve a president and a Senate that will go to the mat to fight for America. A president and a Senate that will unite America.

“In Pennsylvania, that means voting for Trump and McCormick in November.”

State Democrat responds

Pennsylvania Democratic Party spokesperson TaNisha Cameron issued the following statement in response to David McCormick’s RNC speech:

“David McCormick tried to hide behind false attacks because he knows he can’t defend his record of investing millions in Chinese military companies, supporting an abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest, and funding China’s largest fentanyl producer.

“This November, Pennsylvanians will re-elect Senator Casey, a leader Pennsylvanians can trust to create jobs, fight fentanyl, and deliver for working families.”