Two debates set in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey

The candidates in the close race for Pennsylvania’s contested U.S. Senate seat have agreed to two debate dates after weeks of back-and-forth negotiations.

One will take place in Pittsburgh Oct. 17 and the other is set for Philadelphia on Oct. 24.

But not everyone was totally happy with that outcome.

Republican incumbent Pat Toomey had been pushing for four debates leading up to the election.

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On top of the ones in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, his campaign proposed two in central Pennsylvania, away from major metropolitan areas.

But the McGinty camp demurred on those debates, which would have been in Harrisburg and at Bucknell University, per Toomey’s request.

Toomey campaign communications director Ted Kwong said that’s a cop out.

“She just seems desperate at this point to hide her liberal track record from Pennsylvania voters— especially in areas where folks may or may not agree with her far-left views,” he said.

The McGinty camp responded, saying the debates would be broadcast throughout the state, regardless of where they’re held.

The statement added, “Sen. Toomey is losing, he’s desperate, and he’s showing it.”

Recent polls show the race in a virtual dead heat.

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