Longtime Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey has distanced himself from the defund the police movement in the run-up to his self-described 'tough' election this year. Despite recent endorsements from groups advocating police department defunding, Casey's campaign spokesperson emphasized his record of working alongside law enforcement and securing funding for police equipment.
Casey's stance against defunding the police aligns with his voting record, including blocking federal funding from cities that defund their police departments. However, he received endorsements from pro-defund advocacy groups like Indivisible Philadelphia, which has been vocal about reallocating resources from policing to community-led safety programs.
Casey co-sponsored the Justice in Policing Act of 2020, aiming to reform policing systems by addressing issues like qualified immunity, use of force standards, and racial profiling training. This bill, endorsed by Casey, faced criticism from law enforcement officials who expressed concerns about its impact on public safety.
Despite the backlash, Casey reiterated his commitment to police reform and accountability, emphasizing the need to address systemic racism in policing. He also supported legislation providing federal funding for law enforcement agencies and voted against jurisdictions defunding the police.
As Casey gears up for a challenging re-election campaign against Republican Dave McCormick, endorsements from both pro-defund groups and law enforcement highlight the contrasting views on policing in Pennsylvania. McCormick, backed by 47 sheriffs in the state, criticized Casey for accepting endorsements from defund the police activists, emphasizing the importance of supporting law enforcement.
With the state's Senate primaries approaching, Casey and McCormick are set to face off in what is anticipated to be a closely contested race. While Casey emphasizes earning the trust of Pennsylvania voters, McCormick positions himself as a candidate prioritizing public safety and law enforcement support.
