Dem Senate hopefuls seek boost from convention

by Jordain Carney - 07/28/16 6:17 PM ET

Two Senate candidates whom Democrats are counting on in November gave very different speeches back-to-back at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday.

Katie McGinty announced from the outset Thursday that she was running for the Senate in Pennsylvania and quickly sought to tie her Republican opponent, Sen. Pat Toomey, to GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump on the subject of economic anxiety.

“Now, we could respond with more scapegoating and fear mongering. That’s the tack of Donald Trump and my opponent, Pat Toomey,” she said. “Just blame the Mexicans. Blame the Muslims. Blame the government. Build a wall. For goodness sakes, the Donald even blamed the pope.”

Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who lost both legs when her Black Hawk helicopter was shot down during the Iraq War, also blasted Trump, but in contrast with McGinty she didn’t even mention her opponent, Sen. Mark Kirk (D-Ill.).

“By the way, Donald Trump, I didn’t put my life on the line to defend our democracy so you could invite Russia to interfere with it You are not fight to be commander-in-chief,” she said, referencing this week’s controversy over his comments about Russia and Hillary Clinton’s emails.

The response to the two candidates also differed.

The crowd largely talked over McGinty, while Duckworth drew loud cheers. That could be a reflection of Duckworth’s higher public profile, though it was notable coming in McGinty’s home state.

Duckworth is seen as the favorite in Illinois, while McGinty is in a tight rate with Toomey. Democrats need to net four seats this fall and win the White House to take back the Senate majority.

Kirk became the first vulnerable GOP senator to take back his endorsement of Trump and has repeatedly touted the split to try to underscore his independence in the blue state.

McGinty has frequently blasted the the “Trump-Toomey” ticket, a term that the Pennsylvania Republican has called “outrageous.”

Toomey quickly responded to McGinty’s speech, saying that his competitor is the “last thing” Pennsylvanians need in Washington.

“Katie McGinty’s record is one of middle-class job killing regulations, massive tax hikes aimed squarely at middle-class pocketbooks, and using government service to enrich herself,” he added.

Tags Donald Trump Hillary Clinton Mark Kirk