Carper would back Biden in Senate race

Delaware democratic Senator Tom Carper has a long time friendship with GOP Congressman Mike Castle. But he won’t let that friendship get in the way of supporting likely democratic candidate Beau Biden.

If Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden decides to run for the U.S. Senate he’ll have U.S. Sen. Tom Carper’s (D-Del.) vote.

“In the end I’ll vote for Beau,” Carper said.

Biden has told WHYY (see the Biden interview on the FIRST web site) he’s “very seriously considering” running for the seat long held by his father, Vice President Joe Biden, but doesn’t have a timetable on when he’ll decide.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) has already announced his intentions to vie for the seat.

“Beau hasn’t announced yet, my expectation is he will,” Carper said. “He’ll be a terrific Senator and Michael, God bless him, I wish we could elect both of them.”

Carper is understandably torn.

He’s worked alongside Castle, a Republican, as part of Delaware’s Congressional Delegation since 2001.

But he’s worked with fellow Democrat Joe Biden even longer. It was during that time Carper says he formed a special relationship with Beau.

“Well, Beau I’ve known since he was a little kid — he’s now, I think, in his early 40’s,” Carper said. “I feel almost paternally toward him as if he were my own flesh and blood.”

A recent poll by Susquehanna Polling and Research shows Biden leading the hypothetical matchup 45 to 40 percent. Castle had a 21-point lead over Biden in the same poll in April.

“I hate to see two people that I really have a great affection and respect for have to run against each other,” Carper said. “We have so many states where we can use either one of them but we have to make the choice I’m afraid.”

Carper won his senate seat in 2000 when he went up against long time republican Senator William Roth.