Rep. Kelly pulls out of Senate race for Casey seat
One day after the Associated Press reported that U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta was gearing up to challenge Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey next year, another Republican congressman, Butler's Mike Kelly, is out.
In a statement sent out Tuesday, Mr. Kelly said “[t]here are critical fights ahead which will require all of my energy and focus” on the House Ways and Means Committee.
"In light of these considerations, I will be seeking a fifth term in the House of Representatives and will not be pursuing a run for the Senate next year. I am truly grateful for the outpouring of support from so many of my fellow Pennsylvanians as I have carefully deliberated the best path forward and come to this decision.”
Like Mr. Barletta, Mr. Kelly has been a full-throated supporter of President Donald Trump. He has often been named as a potential contender for both gubernatorial andSenate runs.
Mr. Kelly took his name out of the governor’s race in May, but had openly contemplated the possibility of challenging Mr. Casey. “I’m very much interested in it,” he told constituents during a June tele-town hall, but he reiterated that he’d make a decision by summer's end.
Even with Mr. Kelly’s exit, the field of challengers remains crowded.
In addition to Mr. Barletta, the former mayor of Hazleton, it includes two state representatives from Western Pennsylvania: Rick Saccone of Elizabeth and Jim Christiana of Beaver. Other candidates include businessman Paul Addis of Delaware County and real estate developer Jeff Bartos. Mr. Kelly’s statement did not identify a favorite in the field.