One in, one out of GOP field for Pa. U.S. Senate seat

Four-time candidate Joe Vodvarka says he's running as a Republican, after losing three straight primaries as a Democrat.

Associated Press

November 9, 2017

Joseph Vodvarka (AP, file)

One candidate is leaving the Republican field seeking the nomination to challenge Pennsylvania’s two-term Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Casey, while another is getting into race.

Four-time candidate Joe Vodvarka says he’s running as a Republican, after losing three straight primaries as a Democrat.

He’s a semiretired owner of a Pittsburgh-area spring manufacturing shop.

Also in the race are Republican midstate Congressman Lou Barletta, state Representative Jim Christiana, and Libertarian Dale Kerns.

WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Casey is seeking a third six-year term in 2018.

Dropping out of the Senate campaign is real estate investor Jeff Bartos of Montgomery County.

He says he’ll run instead for lieutenant governor on a ticket with state Senator Scott Wagner of York County — who is hoping to challenge Democratic Governor Tom Wolf’s re-election bid.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.