Trump Makes Endorsement In PA U.S. Senate Race

PITTSBURGH, PA — Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Sean Parnell, a Fox News contributor, U.S. Army veteran and author, for Pennsylvania's upcoming U.S. Senate seat vacancy.

Parnell, of suburban Pittsburgh, "will make Pennsylvania very proud and will fight for election integrity, strong borders, our Second Amendment, energy bobs, and so much more," Trump said in a statement released online. "Sean Parnell will always put America first. He has my complete and total endorsement!”

Incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Toomey is not seeking reelection next year. With control of the Senate possibly riding on who is elected as his successor, the Senate campaign is expected to be one of the most highly competitive and closely watched races in the nation.

How significant the former president's endorsement will be remains to be seen. Trump supported Parnell's bid for a U.S. House seat last year but Parnell lost to Democrat Conor Lamb, who also is running for the Senate seat.

In addition to Lamb, other Democrats in the race include Gov. John Fetterman, Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta of Philadelphia.

Besides Parnell, an Ohio Township resident, others vying for the Republican nomination include Lower Merion real estate developer Jeff Bartos; conservative commentator Kathy Barnette, Philadelphia lobbyist Craig Snyder and Carla Sands, who served as Trump's ambassador to Denmark.

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