John Vernon knows he has a steep climb to the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, but he suffers from no lack of energy. His campaign this week launched his first phase of his Jobs and Economic Plan, his “100 Businesses in 100 Days” tour.

Alex Roarty of the National Journal reports that the former Pa. Rep, and 2010 gubernatorial candidate has been hinting for months that he is on the verge of announcing his candidacy.

Senate candidate and coal industry veteran Tom Smith is received praise from an unlikely source today: former Pa. Rep. Sam Rohrer, who sources say is all but certain to join the race for U.S. Senate against Bob Casey.

After a back-and-forth involving the New York Times, the Morning Call and Bob Casey’s office, his staff confirmed that the Senator has “bundled” campaign contributions for President Barack Obama. Republicans are having a field day with the confusion.

The Independence Hall Tea Party PAC endorsed a challenger to Sen. Bob Casey: Democrat Brain Kelly of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The Tuesday announcement occurred at Independence Mall in Philadelphia where Kelly officially declared his 2012 candidacy.

Sen. Casey joined with Sens. Harry Reid and Bob Menendez to push one piece of President Obama’s American Jobs Act.

Coal industry veteran and former Tea Party leader Tom Smith pulled in a total of about $875K during the third quarter, including a $750K loan to his campaign.

Sen. Casey raised $1 million this past quarter and now has $3.75 million on hand.

The Chester County entrepreneur and former congressional candidate has joined the fray. Steve Welch spoke with PoliticsPA about his campaign – and criticism that he switched from Republican to Democrat in 2006.

In an interview with PoliticsPA, newly announced Senate candidate Tim Burns repeatedly emphasized his business background and said the state of the economy was the reason he ultimately decided to get in the race