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Sen. Ted Cruz to visit Lehigh Valley to endorse Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate

The Texas Republican lawmaker aimed to overturn Pennsylvania's 2020 election results last year.

  • Tim Lambert/WITF
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks to the media during a break in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

 Jacquelyn Martin / AP Photo

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks to the media during a break in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

*A clarification was made that McCormick announced his campaign Jan. 13. It was originally reported that McCormick intended to formally announce his candidacy today.

(Bethlehem) — A Texas Republican lawmaker who aimed to overturn Pennsylvania’s 2020 election results is now campaigning in the commonwealth. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz plans to endorse Republican David McCormick for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat in the Lehigh Valley this afternoon. 

All eyes are on the swing state this midterm year. Muhlenberg College Political Scientist Chris Borick said with the open senate spot – And governor’s seat – there’s a lot of political power at stake.

And media attention. 

“For Ted Cruz having his face out there his name in the news and being around the country is part of his own personal brand,” he said. 

The rally is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays, outside Coplay.

David McCormick poses for photos at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse, in this Nov. 20, 2016 file photo in Bedminster, N.J.

Carolyn Kaster / AP Photo

David McCormick poses for photos at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse, in this Nov. 20, 2016 file photo in Bedminster, N.J.

McCormick, a former hedge fund manager and U.S. Army veteran, announced his intentions on Jan. 13 to go for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Pat Toomey, who won’t seek re-election.

Borick said the announcement being made in eastern Pennsylvania region is significant.

“It’s a growing area. It’s very politically competitive. It’s also in the Philadelphia media market – which is the biggest in the state,” Borick said. “It’s the type of place where there is increasing amounts of political activity.”

The race for the open U.S. Senate spot in the commonwealth is a closely watched one with several contenders already in the running.

McCormick, 56, who grew up in Pennsylvania but like others in the race has also resided outside of the state in recent years, is CEO of the hedge fund Bridgewater Associates and is a former senior official in President George W. Bush’s administration.

Borick notes Cruz’s endorsement could benefit them both – especially if Cruz is eyeing a presidential run in 2024.

“He’s got those aspirations. And wants to build up national connections and national relationships and this is part of his broader plan to keep himself relevant in republican party national politics,” Borick noted.

 But Borick says Cruz has to be careful not to irritate former President Donald Trump by making those interests public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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