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Turnout | 59.4% (voting eligible)[1] | ||||||||||||||||
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Casey: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Smith: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% | |||||||||||||||||
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The2012 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania was held on November 6, 2012, alongside apresidential election, otherelections to theUnited States Senate in other states, as well aselections to theUnited States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. IncumbentDemocratic U.S. SenatorBob Casey, Jr. ran for and won re-election to a second term, defeatingRepublican nomineeTom Smith, andLibertarian nominee Rayburn Smith.
The requisiteprimary elections occurred on April 24, 2012, during which the Republicans and Democrats selected nominees for thegeneral election. The Republican primary was a five-way contest. Tom Smith, the eventual nominee, facedDavid A. Christian,Sam Rohrer, Marc Scaringi, andSteve Welch. The Democratic primary was not heavily contested. Incumbent Bob Casey, Jr., defeated Joseph Vodvarka by a wide margin. The Libertarian Party nominated Rayburn Smith.
Casey led most pre-election polls and eventually defeated his opponents to win re-election to a second term in the U.S. Senate. The election was the first time a Democrat won re-election to the U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania since the 1962 election. As of 2025, this is the last time thatFayette County andLuzerne County voted Democratic in a Senate election. This is also the only time since 1956 that Democrats have won a Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race in a presidential year.
On November 7, 2006,Bob Casey, Jr., theState Treasurer and son of formerGovernorBob Casey, Sr., defeated two-term incumbentRepublican senatorRick Santorum with 58.64% of votes cast. Santorum's margin of defeat was the largest for an incumbent Republican senator in Pennsylvania history; it was also the first time aDemocrat was elected to a full Senate term from Pennsylvania sinceJoseph Clark was re-elected in1962.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bob Casey, Jr. (incumbent) | 565,488 | 80.9 | |
Democratic | Joseph Vodvarka | 133,683 | 19.1 | |
Total votes | 699,171 | 100.0 |
In January 2012, thePennsylvania Republican Party officially endorsed Steve Welch for U.S. Senate.[23] The largest state newspaper,The Philadelphia Inquirer, also endorsed Welch. He was also endorsed by thePittsburgh Post-Gazette. However, he was criticized for changing his party registration. In 2008, he became a Democrat so he could vote forBarack Obama in the2008 Democratic presidential primary. In 2006, he donated money to Democratic CongressmanJoe Sestak.
Tom Smith spent nearly $3 million in the first three months of 2012, outspending Welch 2–1. Smith has spent a wide majority of it in television advertising.[24] Like Welch, Smith has also registered as a Democrat. However, unlike Welch who was a registered Democrat for only a few years, Smith was a Democrat for 42 years.[25] Smith was aPlumcreek Township Supervisor and allegedly raised taxes 9 times (including the real estate, earned income, and per capita taxes).[26] Over the past decade, he donated over $185,000 to Republican candidates. The only Democrat he donated to was CongressmanJason Altmire, a moderateBlue Dog.[27]
Sam Rohrer, a former state representative, ran for statewide office again after losing to State Attorney GeneralTom Corbett in the 2010 Republican primary forPennsylvania Governor. Rohrer was endorsed by various tea party organizations, as well as U.S. CongresswomanMichele Bachmann and2012 Republican presidential candidateHerman Cain.[28]
David Christian, a Vietnam war veteran and businessman, also ran. He previously ran for congress in 1984 and 1986. He was endorsed by thePittsburgh Tribune-Review.[29]
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Tim Burns | David Christian | Laureen Cummings | John Kensinger | Sam Rohrer | Marc Scaringi | Tom Smith | John Vernon | Steve Welch | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[30] | November 17–20, 2011 | 400 | ±4.9% | 15% | — | 2% | — | 25% | 0% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 8% | 43% |
Tribune-Review/WPXI-TV[31] | February 2–6, 2012 | 500 | ±4.4% | — | 1% | — | 3% | 10% | 1% | 8% | — | 1% | — | 72% |
Public Policy Polling[32] | March 8–11, 2012 | 564 | ±4.1% | — | 10% | — | — | 16% | 8% | 12% | — | 5% | — | 48% |
Franklin & Marshall College[33] | March 20–25, 2012 | 505 | ±4.2% | — | 1% | — | — | 7% | 1% | 9% | — | 1% | — | 81% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tom Smith | 299,726 | 39.5 | |
Republican | Sam Rohrer | 169,118 | 22.3 | |
Republican | Steve Welch | 158,181 | 20.9 | |
Republican | David Christian | 79,581 | 10.5 | |
Republican | Marc Scaringi | 51,908 | 6.8 | |
Total votes | 758,514 | 100.0 |
Candidate (party) | Receipts | Disbursements | Cash on hand | Debt |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | $7,664,686 | $2,754,060 | $6,226,560 | $5,261 |
Tom Smith (R) | $7,954,211 | $5,673,558 | $2,280,655 | $6,475,000 |
Source:Federal Election Commission[36] |
Bob Casey, Jr. | Contribution | Tom Smith | Contribution |
---|---|---|---|
Comcast Corp | $95,175 | Rosebud Mining | $26,000 |
Blank Rome LLP | $65,500 | Tj Smith Trucking | $15,000 |
Reed Smith LLP | $61,800 | Penneco Oil Co | $12,500 |
Cozen O'Connor | $44,975 | Transportation Equipment Supply Co | $11,500 |
University of Pennsylvania | $44,450 | R&S Machine Co | $10,250 |
Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney | $43,098 | Citizens United | $10,000 |
K&L Gates | $42,650 | Mepco LLC | $10,000 |
Pride Mobility Products | $40,250 | Snyder Armclar Gas | $10,000 |
Blue Cross & Blue Shield | $39,950 | Stitt Management | $10,000 |
National Amusements Inc. | $39,250 | Penn Waste | $10,000 |
Bob Casey, Jr. | Contribution | Tom Smith | Contribution |
---|---|---|---|
Lawyers/Law Firms | $2,095,026 | Retired | $104,725 |
Lobbyists | $407,472 | Mining | $87,800 |
Real Estate | $389,559 | Republican/Conservative | $43,500 |
Health Professionals | $336,023 | Oil & Gas | $40,750 |
Financial Institutions | $335,998 | Misc Business | $35,300 |
Retired | $329,132 | Financial Institutions | $25,500 |
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products | $313,597 | Misc Manufacturing & Distributing | $19,650 |
Hospitals/Nursing Homes | $296,737 | Leadership PACs | $19,000 |
Entertainment Industry | $237,825 | Misc Energy | $18,000 |
Insurance | $221,750 | Trucking | $15,250 |
Source | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
The Cook Political Report[39] | Lean D | November 1, 2012 |
Sabato's Crystal Ball[40] | Lean D | November 5, 2012 |
Rothenberg Political Report[41] | Likely D | November 2, 2012 |
Real Clear Politics[42] | Lean D | November 5, 2012 |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Tom Smith (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Angus Reid Public Opinion[43] | November 2–4, 2012 | 507 | ± 4.2% | 53% | 46% | 1% | — |
Public Policy Polling[44] | November 2–3, 2012 | 790 | ± 3.5% | 52% | 44% | — | 3% |
Muhlenberg College/Morning Call[45] | November 1–3, 2012 | 430 | ± 5% | 48% | 42% | 2% | 9% |
Tribune-Review/Susquehanna[46] | October 29–31, 2012 | 800 | ± 3.4% | 46% | 45% | 2% | 8% |
Franklin & Marshall College[47] | October 23–28, 2012 | 547 | ± 4.2% | 46% | 36% | 4% | 13% |
Philadelphia Inquirer[48] | October 23–25, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 49% | 42% | — | 9% |
Rasmussen Reports[49] | October 24, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 46% | 45% | — | 9% |
Pharos Research[50] | October 19–21, 2012 | 760 | ± 3.6% | 52% | 42% | — | 6% |
Muhlenberg College Poll[51] | October 17–21, 2012 | 444 | ± 5% | 45% | 37% | 2% | 16% |
Angus Reid Public Opinion[52] | October 18–20, 2012 | 559 | ± 4.2% | 51% | 45% | 4% | — |
Quinnipiac[53] | October 12–14, 2012 | 1,519 | ± 2.5% | 48% | 45% | — | 7% |
Public Policy Polling[54] | October 12–14, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 50% | 39% | — | 11% |
Muhlenberg[55] | October 10–14, 2012 | 438 | ± 5% | 41% | 39% | 1% | 18% |
Susquehanna Polling[56] | October 11–13, 2012 | 1,376 | ± 2.6% | 46% | 48% | 1% | 5% |
Rasmussen Reports[57] | October 9, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 49% | 45% | 1% | 5% |
Philadelphia Inquirer[58] | October 4–8, 2012 | 600 | ± 4% | 48% | 38% | — | 14% |
Susquehanna Polling[59] | October 4–6, 2012 | 725 | ± 3.7% | 46% | 44% | — | 9% |
Siena Poll[60] | October 1–5, 2012 | 545 | ± 4.2% | 44% | 35% | — | 16% |
Muhlenberg College[61] | September 22–26, 2012 | 427 | ± 5% | 44% | 36% | 7% | 13% |
Quinnipiac/CBS/NYT Poll[62] | September 18–24, 2012 | 1,180 | ± 3% | 49% | 43% | — | — |
Franklin & Marshall[63] | September 18–23, 2012 | 392 | ± 4.9% | 48% | 38% | — | 8% |
Rasmussen Reports[49] | September 19, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 49% | 42% | 2% | 7% |
Muhlenberg College[64] | September 10–16, 2012 | 640 | ± 4% | 45% | 33% | 5% | 18% |
Philadelphia Inquirer[65] | August 21–23, 2012 | 601 | ± 4% | 53% | 34% | — | 13% |
MCall/Muhlenberg Poll[66] | August 20–22, 2012 | 422 | ± 5% | 49% | 30% | — | 18% |
Franklin & Marshall College[67] | August 7–12, 2012 | 681 | ± 3.8% | 35% | 23% | 2% | 39% |
Quinnipiac[68] | July 24–30, 2012 | 1,168 | ± 2.9% | 55% | 37% | — | 8% |
Public Policy Polling[69] | July 21–23, 2012 | 758 | ± 3.6% | 46% | 36% | — | 18% |
Rasmussen Reports[49] | July 18, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 49% | 38% | — | 9% |
We Ask America[70] | July 9–10, 2012 | 1,227 | ± 2.8% | 53% | 39% | — | 8% |
Quinnipiac[71] | June 19–25, 2012 | 1,252 | ± 2.8% | 49% | 32% | 1% | 17% |
Quinnipiac[72] | June 5–10, 2012 | 997 | ± 3.1% | 51% | 32% | 1% | 14% |
Franklin & Marshall College[73] | May 29–June 4, 2012 | 412 | ± 4.8% | 42% | 21% | 2% | 35% |
Rasmussen Reports[49] | May 21, 2012 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 48% | 41% | 3% | 7% |
Public Policy Polling[74] | May 17–20, 2012 | 671 | ± 3.8% | 49% | 33% | — | 19% |
Public Policy Polling[32] | March 8–11, 2012 | 689 | ± 3.7% | 49% | 31% | — | 20% |
Public Policy Polling[75] | November 17–20, 2011 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 48% | 32% | — | 20% |
Republican primary
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Jake Corman | Laureen Cummings | Charlie Dent | Jim Gerlach | Tim Murphy | Rick Santorum | Marc Scaringi | Mark Schweiker | Kim Ward | Other/ Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[76] | June 30 – July 5, 2011 | 376 | ± 5.1% | 9% | 5% | 4% | 7% | 9% | 47% | 1% | — | 0% | 18% |
Public Policy Polling[77] | January 3–5, 2011 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 3% | — | 8% | 9% | 7% | 45% | 1% | 8% | 1% | 19% |
9% | — | 10% | 14% | 13% | — | 1% | 18% | 2% | 33% |
General election
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Generic Republican | Depends on the candidate | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quinnipiac[78] | March 7–12, 2012 | 1256 | ± 2.8% | 46% | 34% | 8% | 12% |
Morning Call[79] | February 15–21, 2012 | 625 | ± 4% | 40% | 25% | 20% | 14% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Tim Burns (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[75] | November 17–20, 2011 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 49% | 34% | — | 17% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | David Christian (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[32] | March 8–11, 2012 | 689 | ± 3.7% | 50% | 32% | — | 18% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Jake Corman (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[80] | June 30 – July 5, 2011 | 545 | ± 4.2% | 51% | 35% | — | 14% |
Public Policy Polling[81] | April 7–10, 2011 | 593 | ± 4.0% | 51% | 35% | — | 14% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Laureen Cummings (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[80] | June 30 – July 5, 2011 | 545 | ± 4.2% | 51% | 31% | — | 18% |
Public Policy Polling[81] | April 7–10, 2011 | 593 | ± 4.0% | 51% | 32% | — | 17% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Charlie Dent (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[81] | April 7–10, 2011 | 593 | ± 4.0% | 51% | 31% | — | 18% |
Municipoll[82] | February 21–23, 2011 | 670 | ± 3.79.% | 51% | 32% | — | 17% |
Public Policy Polling[83] | January 3–5, 2011 | 547 | ± 4.2% | 51% | 31% | — | 18% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Jim Gerlach (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[80] | June 30 – July 5, 2011 | 545 | ± 4.2% | 49% | 33% | — | 17% |
Public Policy Polling[81] | April 7–10, 2011 | 593 | ± 4.0% | 50% | 32% | — | 19% |
Municipoll[82] | February 21–23, 2011 | 670 | ± 3.79.% | 48% | 34% | — | 17% |
Public Policy Polling[83] | January 3–5, 2011 | 547 | ± 4.2% | 49% | 33% | — | 18% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Tim Murphy (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[80] | June 30 – July 5, 2011 | 545 | ± 4.2% | 47% | 35% | — | 18% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Sam Rohrer (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[32] | March 8–11, 2012 | 689 | ± 3.7% | 49% | 34% | — | 17% |
Public Policy Polling[75] | November 17–20, 2011 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 47% | 36% | — | 16% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Rick Santorum (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning Call[79] | February 15–21, 2012 | 625 | ± 4% | 44% | 36% | 7% | 12% |
Public Policy Polling[75] | November 17–20, 2011 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 49% | 39% | — | 11% |
Public Policy Polling[80] | June 30 – July 5, 2011 | 545 | ± 4.2% | 48% | 39% | — | 13% |
Public Policy Polling[81] | April 7–10, 2011 | 593 | ± 4.0% | 49% | 37% | — | 13% |
Municipoll[82] | February 21–23, 2011 | 670 | ± 3.79.% | 50% | 38% | — | 12% |
Public Policy Polling[83] | January 3–5, 2011 | 547 | ± 4.2% | 48% | 41% | — | 10% |
Public Policy Polling[84] | June 19–21, 2010 | 609 | ± 4.0% | 51% | 39% | — | 10% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Marc Scaringi (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[32] | March 8–11, 2012 | 689 | ± 3.7% | 49% | 29% | — | 22% |
Public Policy Polling[80] | June 30 – July 5, 2011 | 545 | ± 4.2% | 47% | 29% | — | 24% |
Public Policy Polling[81] | April 7–10, 2011 | 593 | ± 4.0% | 51% | 28% | — | 21% |
Public Policy Polling[83] | January 3–5, 2011 | 547 | ± 4.2% | 50% | 27% | — | 22% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Mark Schweiker (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[83] | January 3–5, 2011 | 547 | ± 4.2% | 47% | 34% | — | 18% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Kim Ward (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[81] | April 7–10, 2011 | 593 | ± 4.0% | 50% | 29% | — | 21% |
Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bob Casey, Jr. (D) | Steve Welch (R) | Other | Undecided |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Public Policy Polling[32] | March 8–11, 2012 | 689 | ± 3.7% | 49% | 31% | — | 22% |
Public Policy Polling[75] | November 17–20, 2011 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 47% | 33% | — | 20% |
Despite many predictions of a close race, the election was not close. Casey, despite being seen as somewhat vulnerable, went into election night with most analysts thinking he could win. Casey did win by more than expected, which can be traced to several factors. Casey trounced Smith inPhiladelphia County, home ofPhiladelphia. Casey also won the surrounding collar counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery, which are seen as vital in statewide elections inPennsylvania. Casey also performed well inAllegheny County, home ofPittsburgh. Casey also performed well in Erie. Casey also performed strongly in theScranton area. Smith did well in rural counties, but it wasn't enough to overcome the lead Casey had built in the huge population centers. Casey was sworn in for his second term beginning at noon on January 3, 2013.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bob Casey, Jr. (incumbent) | 3,021,364 | 53.69% | −4.95% | |
Republican | Tom Smith | 2,509,132 | 44.59% | +3.31% | |
Libertarian | Rayburn Smith | 96,926 | 1.72% | N/A | |
Total votes | 5,627,422 | 100.00% | N/A | ||
Democratichold |
Casey won 9 of the 18 congressional districts, including four that elected Republicans.[86]
District | Smith | Casey | Representative |
---|---|---|---|
1st | 15.85% | 83.36% | Bob Brady |
2nd | 8.61% | 90.74% | Chaka Fattah |
3rd | 53.94% | 43.87% | Mike Kelly |
4th | 54.81% | 42.78% | Jason Altmire |
Scott Perry | |||
5th | 55.83% | 41.46% | Glenn Thompson |
6th | 48.56% | 49.72% | Jim Gerlach |
7th | 48.23% | 50.58% | Pat Meehan |
8th | 47.74% | 50.94% | Mike Fitzpatrick |
9th | 58.99% | 38.94% | Bill Shuster |
10th | 58.12% | 39.84% | Tom Marino |
11th | 51.35% | 46.54% | Lou Barletta |
12th | 52.79% | 45.31% | Mark Critz |
Keith Rothfus | |||
13th | 30.84% | 68.37% | Allyson Schwartz |
14th | 27.74% | 70.02% | Mike Doyle |
15th | 48.2% | 50.02% | Charlie Dent |
16th | 51.6% | 46.52% | Joe Pitts |
17th | 40.96% | 57.28% | Tim Holden |
Matt Cartwright | |||
18th | 53.4% | 44.81% | Tim Murphy |
Official campaign websites (Archived)