Candidates for Governor

• Lynn Swann

Candidates for US Senate

• Rick Santorum

The most interesting race of the midterm elections may be the fight for senate. Bob Casey Jr. is the rarest of politicians, a pro-life Democrat, while Santorum and his wife are both very conservative Catholics who attend Latin rite Masses on Sundays. Casey's strength lies in the Poconos and in Harrisburg, and he is trading on the name of his famous father, but he could not be the leading Democratic contender if the state were not shifting to the right. As for Santorum- his showing in the election will be a litmus test for Bush and the conservatives. A substantial victory for Santorum will encourage the GOP to stick to its conservative base. A loss, however, may not mean as much, given Casey's conservative tendencies.

The latest Rasmussen poll shows Santorum trailing Casey by 13%, but Santorum has come off the floor before.

Pennsylavania Governors Race