U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Will Run For Fourth Term In 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Putting an end to months of speculation from both sides of the aisle and bringing into focus one of the most important Senate races in the nation in 18 months, Pennsylvania's U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has officially announced he will run for a fourth term.

The possibility that Casey, 63, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January, would not run in 2024 was seen as a potential vulnerability by Republicans, who suffered major statewide losses in both 2020 and the 2022 midterms.

"There’s still more work to do to cut through the gridlock, stand up to powerful special interests, and make the lives of hardworking Pennsylvanians easier," Casey said in his announcement.

The rest of the field remains unclear. Current Republican State Sen. Doug Mastriano is reportedly considering joining the race. Like Casey, Mastriano ran a failed gubernatorial campaign before turning to the Senate.

RELATED: Mastriano, Trump Hold Huge Leads In PA In New 2024 Polls

The run up to Casey's announcement Monday shared a lot in common with that of President Joe Biden's potential run for re-election. Casey, a staunch Biden supporter made from the same mold of more mainstream, labor-friendly, Democratic politics also faced questions about his health but also commands the sort of experience and name recognition that would be all but unmatched in an election for his office.

The Cook Political Report says that Pennsylvania "leans" Democrat as of late January, which is a step to the left from the outlet's "toss up" but still more competitive than it's "likely" and "solid" Democrat classifications.

Casey is the longest serving Democratic Senator in Pennsylvania history.