Braving midday heat on Monday, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Gov. Josh Shapiro energized a crowd of more than 100 supporters during a campaign rally in Bristol Township’s Croydon section as the 2024 election season intensifies.
Joined by First Congressional District candidate Ashley Ehasz, Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, State Rep. Tina Davis, State Rep. Jim Prokopiak, and other local leaders, the Democratic officials underscored the stakes of the upcoming elections and touted their legislative accomplishments.
Casey, who is seeking a fourth term in the U.S. Senate against Republican businessman Dave McCormick, highlighted his commitment to public education, affordable healthcare, and veterans’ care. He pointed to his support for measures that have poured millions into Bucks County schools, established a $35 monthly cap on insulin prices nationally, would create federal savings accounts for people with disabilities, and expanded healthcare for veterans exposed to burn pits and Agent Orange through the PACT Act.
“This is about rights and fights,” Casey said. He added that women’s rights, civil rights, and workers’ rights.
The senator criticized McCormick’s policy positions and accused him of prioritizing “big corporations and rich people” over middle-class families.
“I think that’s wrong. We should give a tax cut to the middle class,” he said.
Casey also reaffirmed his support for continuing the Child Tax Credit, which has provided financial relief to tens of thousands of families in Bucks County.
Shapiro was greeted by enthusiastic applause and lauded Casey’s dedication to Pennsylvania residents.
“The reason why I think Bob Casey is so effective is because he still shows up in places like Croydon,” the governor said. “He gets in his car and he shows up in communities big and small. In places where you got tall buildings lining the streets and places where you’ve got one-story buildings, our main streets – rural, urban, suburban communities. Bob Casey shows up; he is authentically Pennsylvania.”
Emphasizing Bucks County’s key role in the upcoming election, Shapiro urged attendees to mobilize and increase voter turnout.
“Bucks County is not only the swingiest of the swing counties in the swingiest of all the swing states — and I mean that only in the political sense — but it’s also the county that is going to determine who is in the leadership of the House and the Senate,” he said.
Ehasz, who is challenging incumbent Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick for Pennsylvania’s First Congressional District seat, spoke about the importance of electing leaders who prioritize working families and local communities.
The event opened with remarks from Mae Krier, a Levittown resident and original Rosie the Riveter, who voiced her support for Casey and the Democratic ticket.
Held outside the Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, the rally featured a large map of Pennsylvania that has become a staple backdrop for Casey’s campaign appearances and social media outreach.
Casey said he was a fan of Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company’s IPAs.
According to a recent Real Clear Politics polling average, Casey holds an approximate eight-point lead over McCormick.
