By David Gerber, Contributing Writer

Just in time for the September 30th Q3 deadline, Ed Rendell is ready to raise the ante in this quarter’s fundraising effort for Bob Casey. The Senator’s campaign recently blasted out an email in which the former Governor asks donors to stand up against the Tea Party.

In an email headlined, “Unlike anything he has ever seen,” Rendell cites Tea Party efforts to, “dismantle Medicare. They threatened to shut the government down in order to protect giveaways for special interests and tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. And this week they threatened to bring us to the brink again – this time because they refused to fully fund disaster relief efforts for those in need.”

The former governor acknowledges in the email that his colleague has a tough fight ahead of him. He explains that Casey’s opposition has put together a slew of “wealthy” challengers and are able to self finance themselves easily in their campaign efforts, which will most likely be channeled in the form of attack towards the incumbent.

“Instead of divisive, partisan gamesmanship,” writes Rendell,  “we need thoughtful leaders like my friend Bob Casey who works hard everyday to find common ground and deliver results for the people in Pennsylvania.”

Casey is recently in the limelight as a number of Republican challengers have emerged in recent weeks. Coal industry veteran Tom Smith made his official announcement on Tuesday. Bucks County veterans’ advocate David Christian, Scranton Tea Party founder Laureen Cummings, retired U.S. Army Colonel John Vernon of Mansfield entered the race earlier this month. Harrisburg-area attorney Marc Scaringi announced in December of 2010.

Businessmen and former congressional candidates Tim Burns of Cambria County and Steve Welch of Chester County are also likely to run.

Former State Rep. and 2010 gubernatorial candidate Sam Rohrer may also run.

Casey has been raising money at a steady clip and is likely to improve as he finally has a few opponents. Sources indicate that the Senator is on track to bring in more than $1 million this quarter, on par with his year to date and on top of his $3.1 million cash on hand.