Top Pennsylvania Republicans Reluctant to Take on Casey

Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey represents a difficult target for Republicans to pick off next year. So the state’s top Republican politicians are staying out of the race, Politico reports.

That includes two congressmen whom Politico judges as the most viable potential candidates, Reps. Jim Gerlach and Charlie Dent, according to Republicans familiar with their plans. Rep. Tim Murphy also is expected to stick with his current job.

Part of the problem is that many of the state’s top Republicans, such as Gov. Tom Corbett and Sen. Pat Toomey, just won races in November. In addition, Casey represents a powerful adversary as an anti-abortion moderate from working-class Scranton and the son of a popular former governor.

Some Republicans hope for a powerful businessman who can finance his own campaign to enter the race.