PHILADELPHIA—As Democrats rally in Philadelphia — not just around presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton, but around the opportunity to take back the Senate — many of the candidates in the highest-profile races are back in their home states. But for Katie McGinty, who is challenging Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) for his seat, her home state is the host of the Democratic convention, and McGinty told reporters Monday that she was “thrilled” to be a part of the convention festivities.
“I am thrilled and honored to be part of this team, and to be part of a party that’s about standing for the dignity of people,” McGinty said at a press conference after the Pennsylvania delegation breakfast.
McGinty is also slated to address the full convention during Thursday evening’s programming.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity to show the city off,” McGinty said, adding that the city will lend Democrats “a terrific opportunity for us to showcase some of the solutions to the challenges that we have.”
The leading Democrats in several high-profile Senates races — including Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Rep. Pat Murphy (D-FL), former Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) — are not planning to be in Philadelphia this week, according to their campaigns.
It was announced Sunday evening that DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz planned to resign after hacked DNC emails revealed officials’ preference for Clinton over Bernie Sanders — a revelation that added some turmoil to the week’s events and inflamed tensions with Sanders’ supporters. McGinty herself headed off a primary challenge, while being seen as the establishment favorite.
“The DNC has recognized an issue in how the primary season unfolded at the presidential level and they’re addressing it,” McGinty said.
Katie McGinty — one of the few candidates in tough Senate races — here at #DNCinPHL pic.twitter.com/jT08YtjykH
— Tierney Sneed (@Tierney_Megan) July 25, 2016