Election Day started on a bitter note in Pennsylvania, as Democratic challenger Katie McGinty accused Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of opting to vote at the last minute so that most of his constituents wouldn’t know if he finally decided to support GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Mr. Toomey’s campaign said the incumbent will vote at 6:45 p.m. The polls close at 8 p.m.
“Let’s be clear here: Pat Toomey is intentionally waiting until millions of his constituents have already voted today before making clear to them who he supports to be our next commander in chief,” McGinty campaign spokesman Josh Levitt said.
For months, Mr. Toomey has faced a tough balancing act in his battleground state. He needs to bring in the throng of excited Trump supporters from coal and steel towns across the state, without turning off the legions of suburban voters outside of Philadelphia who are likely to side with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
He’s refused to say whether he is voting for Mr. Trump in recent interviews, resulting in awkward moments along the trail.
Ms. McGinty, who served as an environmental adviser to President Bill Clinton and environmental protection secretary to Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, is up by an average of 2 points in the latest polls, though the race is considered a toss-up.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.