It’s Official: Toomey Challenging Specter In 2010 Senate Primary

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Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA) has made it official: He is running in the 2010 Senate primary against moderate GOP incumbent Arlen Specter, who he very nearly defeated in the last primary in 2004 — a development that may well increase the chances of the Democrats picking up this seat.

Said Toomey: “Pennsylvanians deserve a voice in the U.S. Senate that will honor our values and fight for limited government, individual freedom and fiscal responsibility. I will be that voice.” Toomey stepped down Monday from his position as head of the Club For Growth, which fueled his campaign last time, pretty much a giveaway that he was about to announce his candidacy.

Toomey only lost the 2004 primary by a 51%-49% margin, when Specter had the full backing of the White House. While Specter does indeed have NRSC backing this time around, the base of registered GOP voters in this closed-primary state has become smaller and more conservative. And it’s a safe bet that Toomey will hammer Specter on his vote for the stimulus bill, which the GOP base sees as tantamount to socialism.

Specter has been pushing the theme that he’s more electable than Toomey — that nominating Toomey would give the seat away to the Democrats. It’s quite possible that Specter is correct in this regard, with the question being whether that will help him make the difference in his primary.

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