The AFL-CIO will spend over $170,000 to air television ads in support of Democratic Senator Bob Casey. The spots are scheduled to begin Monday.

Supporters of his opponents are keen to note that Smith was a member of the Armstrong County Democratic Committee.

Senator Casey took lumps for missing Wednesday’s visit by President Obama to Scranton, especially in light of the fact that he had a fundraiser scheduled in Philadelphia Thursday evening. It turns out that the Senate had votes both days, and Casey missed both events.

Around the state, insiders are calling Dominic Pileggi a “game changer” in the crowded GOP primary to take on Bob Casey. But a big assumption by Pileggi’s supporters – that Steve Welch will get out if he gets in – may be too large a leap.

Steve Welch and Laureen Cummings stood out at a forum hosted by the Blair County Republican Women that also featured Tom Smith and John Kensinger.

Today, Steve Welch’s U.S. Senate campaign announced the endorsement of Lancaster Republican GOP Chairman Ethan Demme, who runs a small business in addition to his political work.

According to a survey from Public Policy Polling, 40 percent of Pennsylvanians approve of the freshman Democrat’s job performance while 34 percent disapprove.