Casey, Fetterman visit Murrysville Democrats ahead of election

Michelle McFall says being a Democrat in Westmoreland County is not easy right now.

There are 91,247 registered Democrats in the county compared to 131,917 Republicans, according to the commonwealth’s latest tally.

McFall, chair of the Westmoreland County Democratic Party, said it can feel like an emotional vacuum. A visit Thursday from U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman to the Murrysville Center for Freedom helped fill that void.

“To have them hype us up … it is going to give people the emotional energy that they need to continue for the next five days,” she said.

I’m here in Murrysville, where @SenBobCasey and @SenFettermanPA have arrived for a campaign event just days ahead of the election @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/wIU8B0lQvb

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 31, 2024

Despite being in the minority, McFall said, Democratic Party votes can still help the overall vote counts statewide.

“Our job is to continually run up the scores,” she said.

Casey, a Democrat from Scranton, agreed.

“In every county in the state, where Democrats traditionally don’t carry in statewide elections, we can still reduce margins,” he said.

On Election Day, Casey said, he believes there’s going to be a record turnout.

Speaking of turnout, Fetterman showed up to the Murrysville event dressed as a giant driver’s license for Halloween.

But it wasn’t just any license. Fetterman was wearing a rainbow decorated “McConnecticut” Halloween costume calling out Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick with a “Superbad” movie reference and the “McLovin” character. McCormick opponents have attacked him for having a home in Connecticut.

In “Superbad” a character had a fake Hawaii driver’s license with the name “McLovin.”

McCormick’s campaign couldn’t be reached for comment.

This just in: @SenFettermanPA’s Halloween costume reveal @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/qHDQfB6mQZ

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 31, 2024

more pics from the @SenBobCasey and @SenFettermanPA event earlier: pic.twitter.com/NBPxtcj6JV

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) October 31, 2024

“I only wish I were that creative,” Casey said of the costume depicting his opponent.

Casey touted what he said are differences between him and McCormick during the campaign event, such as their stances on the right to vote and democracy, women’s rights and workers’ rights.

“I’ve been delivering for this county for years,” he said, citing the money public school districts received through the American Rescue Plan.

This week, ballot drop box fires have rekindle concerns about election conspiracy theories, as well as the security and validity of the election.

“I wish more Republicans running for office and elected Republicans would take on the conspiracy theorists,” he said.

Fetterman, who lives in Braddock, said he’s familiar with Murrysville, saying he enjoys getting hot dogs from D’s Six Pack & Dogs and using the Westmoreland Heritage Trail.

“This is part of Pennsylvania, and it’s a great area,” he said. “It’s easy to campaign here. Just because it’s Republican … we’re not going to turn our backs on any parts of Pennsylvania.”

A resident of Murrysville for 16 years, Ross Eaton showed up for Thursday’s campaign event because it was his first chance to get to see a candidate in person.

“I really just wanted to get out, feel some of that excitement as we get closer to Election Day,” he said.

Eaton, 43, said he believes it’s an important election with key issues on the ballot, such as reproductive rights.

“After (the U.S. Capitol attack on) Jan. 6, (2021), it’s really hard to imagine putting someone who instigated that back into the White House,” he said.

In Murrysville, Eaton said, he’s noticed a shift since 2016, seeing more Democrat yard signs in addition to the already present Republican support signs in 2020. He believes the trend has continued into the 2024 election.

“Regardless of how the numbers have actually changed, it has been exciting to see the change in the enthusiasm,” he said. “The vibes are shifting.”