Pennsylvania voters got a double shot of politics Monday night with two debates televised statewide, featuring the state’s U.S. Senate hopefuls. One debate featured Democrat candidates and the other Republicans. They are vying for the Senate seat being left open by exiting Republican Sen. Pat Toomey.
The race has generated national interest as Democrats hope to flip the seat blue, which, along with current Sen. Bob Casey Jr., would give Pennsylvania two Democratic senators.
The open seat has not been held by an elected Democrat since 1969, although longtime Republican Sen. Arlen Spector switched to Democrat in 2009 while in office. Specter served from 1981 to 2011, when Toomey was elected.
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