The first debate between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger Dave McCormick took place on October 4, 2024, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
2. Personal Attacks
The debate was marked by personal attacks, with both candidates accusing each other of lying and making false claims about their backgrounds and policies.
3. Residency Issues
Casey targeted McCormick's residency, suggesting that his time living in Connecticut for 12 years as a hedge fund executive made him unfit to represent Pennsylvania.
4. Hedge Fund Investments
McCormick faced criticism for his hedge fund's investments in Chinese companies, which Casey argued were a failure of leadership that harmed Pennsylvania's economy.
5. Energy Policies
The candidates disagreed on energy policies, with Casey accusing McCormick of lying about his stance on fracking and natural gas drilling.
6. Tariffs and Trade
Both candidates agreed on the need for tariffs to protect industries like steel and aluminum but differed on the Senate filibuster, with Casey advocating for its elimination and McCormick supporting it as a means of moderation.
7. Abortion Rights
McCormick criticized Casey for his stance on abortion, accusing him of flip-flopping on the issue and suggesting that it should be left up to individual states rather than being federally codified.
8. Immigration and Border Security
Casey supported the Biden administration's immigration policies, including increased funding for Border Patrol agents, while McCormick opposed a recent bipartisan border security bill and argued that Casey was weak on border security.
9. Party Affiliations
The candidates were pressed about their alignment with their party's presidential nominees, with McCormick noting his differences with Donald Trump on certain policy issues like funding for Ukraine and the state and local tax deduction.
10. Impact on Senate Control
The outcome of this race could significantly impact which party controls the narrowly divided Senate, making it a pivotal moment in the 2024 election cycle.
11. Future Debates
The candidates have agreed to another debate, scheduled for October 15 at a Philadelphia TV station, indicating that the contentious nature of their first encounter is likely to continue.
