Hafer to run in PA

Rick Santorum is up for re-election in Pennsylvania in 2006, and opponents are lining up to take him on. Chuck Pennacchio has already begun his campaign for the seat. Now Barbara Hafer, seen as the favorite in Democratic leadership circles, has tossed her hat in.

No word on State Treasurer Bob Casey yet, who leads Santorum in the latest polls.

A healthy primary should bring up recognition numbers for all those involved, adding in the eventual winners run at Santorum next fall.

*UPDATE* Spoke too soon on Casey:

State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr. is expected to announce as early as today that he will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.

Casey, who was elected in November, recently registered an exploratory committee with the IRS to raise and spend money for a possible U.S. Senate campaign.

A Casey spokeswoman would not confirm that he plans to announce his candidacy this week, and said he continues to work on his own schedule to make a decision.

But aides close to Casey and Gov. Ed Rendell said they expect an announcement this week.

*UPDATE* Casey's in:

In a statement, Casey said he decided to run after the Republican-controlled Congress took the November election results as "a mandate to increase the speed and severity of their push to undermine policies that protect middle-income working families."

"As Senator, I will fight everyday to put middle-class families first," Casey said.

He said he would oppose efforts by President Bush to change the Social Security system by allowing the creation of personal investment accounts using payroll taxes.

"As Senator, I will fight to protect and strengthen Social Security and will oppose any privatization plan that cuts benefits, requires massive borrowing from foreign countries or does nothing to improve the solvency of the Social Security system," Casey said.