The Washington establishment is going all-in for Katie McGinty, a candidate who came in dead last in a four-way primary for Governor last year.
To see just how messy this primary will get, look no further than quotes from McGinty campaign Chairman, Ed Rendell:
- The Hill: “Anyone who thinks Joe Sestak will be easy to beat in a primary is crazy. Joe has worked extremely hard the last four years,” said former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D), who backed Sestak’s opponent, Specter, last time around.
“Anyone who undertakes a primary should do so at their own peril.” … “Joe is a guy who marches to his own drum, no question. But he’s listening more than last time, and he’s learned from his mistakes,” Rendell said.
- The Washington Post, 2/17/15)
Rendell Thought McGinty Was “Committed To Working Through A Budget Standoff”
In July, Rendell Thought McGinty Would Forgo A Senate Run Because She Was “Committed To Working Through A Budget Standoff With State Lawmakers As Wolf’s Chief Of Staff.” “Pennsylvania’s former governor, Ed Rendell, says national Democrats have contacted Gov. Tom Wolf’s top aide about running for U.S. Senate. However, Rendell said Tuesday he doesn’t think Katie McGinty will run and that she’s committed to working through a budget standoff with state lawmakers as Wolf’s chief of staff.” (Marc Levy, “Rendell, Dems Approach Wolf’s Top Aide About Running For Senate Against Sestak,” Associated Press, 7/8/15)
Rendell On Challenging Sestak: “Anyone Who Undertakes A Primary Should Do So At Their Own Peril”
“‘Anyone Who Thinks Joe Sestak Will Be Easy To Beat In A Primary Is Crazy. Joe Has Worked Extremely Hard The Last Four Years,’ Said Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D), Who Backed Sestak’s Opponent, Specter, Last Time Around. ‘Anyone Who Undertakes A Primary Should Do So At Their Own Peril.’” (Cameron Joseph, “Sestak’s Determined Pennsylvania March,” The Hill, 3/12/15)
Rendell: “Joe’s Done A Very Good Job Since He Lost To Toomey Of Working The State, Seeing Democrats, Raising Money. He’s A Formidable Opponent In A Primary…”(Cameron Joseph, “Unshakeable Sestak,” The Hill, 12/17/14)
Rendell: “There’s A Core Of Desire To See Another Candidate, That Another Candidate Could Jump Into. But I Don’t See Anyone Who’s Ready To Take On That Major Challenge.” (Cameron Joseph, “Unshakeable Sestak,” The Hill, 12/17/14)
Rendell Said “I Think The Active Democrats Like Joe Sestak.” “Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said heartburn among party leaders didn’t hurt Sestak in 2010 and will do ‘even less damage’ in 2016. ‘Maybe the party bosses don’t like him, but I think the active Democrats like Joe Sestak,’ he said.” (Manu Raju and Kyle Cheney, “Senate Democrats Work To Avoid Primaries,” Politico, 3/19/15)
Rendell: “Joe Is A Guy Who Marches To His Own Drum, No Question. But He’s Listening More Than Last Time, And He’s Learned From His Mistakes.”(Cameron Joseph, “Sestak’s Determined Pennsylvania March,” The Hill, 3/12/15)