Toomey reflects on Pa. GOP primary for U.S. Senate

Pennsylvania Republicans will cast votes to nominate a U.S. Senate candidate Tuesday to take on incumbent Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, in the fall.

Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey says it’s understandable that many voters don’t know much about the five men running.

Asked when he last spoke with a voter who knew who’s running in the U.S. Senate Republican primary, Toomey thought for a moment.

“Well, I mean, my wife knows who’s running. I spoke with her before I got in the car today,” Toomey said.

The five-way race has been remarkable for its lack of traction among voters, with high numbers still undecided, according to recent polls. The field includes David Christian, Sam Rohrer, Marc Scaringi, Tom Smith and Steve Welch.

Toomey says introducing voters to candidates is what the primary process is all about.

“Whoever emerges from the primary will then, of course, have the chance to really deliver a message that will not have to contend with the competition from a big, crowded field,” Toomey said.

The state’s junior U.S. senator hasn’t made an endorsement in the race.

But he says the winner would be his ally in trying to pass a federal budget that eliminates the deficit.