Toomey: I’ll partner with Democrats on a regular basis

Republican Senator-elect Pat Toomey says, differences aside, he plans on working closely with Democrat Bob Casey after taking office next month.

Even as Republicans at Pennsylvania Society talked up the strengths and weaknesses of potential Casey challengers, Toomey said he expects to partner with the Democrat on a regular basis.

The Republican and Democrat have had at least one face-to-face meeting since Election Day, and Toomey expects more in the future.

“We have regular communication at the staff level all the time, about operational things,” says Toomey. “One of the things we want to make sure is that between our two offices we’re really providing the best-possible constituent service. Because that’s a lot of what we need to do across Pennsylvania.”

Casey says he expects to increase his public profile next year, when he becomes Pennsylvania’s senior senator.

The Democrat, who’s entering his fifth year in the Senate, says one of his priorities will be working with the entire Pennsylvania congressional delegation to improve the commonwealth’s economy and lower the unemployment rate.