Republican Senate Candidates to Debate

A forum of the eight announced Republican U.S. Senate candidates will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at Franklin Regional Middle School in Murrysville. Peters resident Rose Tennent, of the "Quinn and Rose" syndicated radio talk show, will moderate the forum

The Franklin Regional graduate told Peters Patch the number of people who signed up to attend is "astounding." 

"There hasn't been anything quite like this in our area," she said. "Typically, everything happens on the east side of the state. This gives you an indication of how important people see this race. People want a good and fair debate."

Following the forum, attendees will cast their ballots in a straw poll for the U.S. Senate and President. Since 450 reservations have been received for this forum, this could be the largest straw poll held at any event in Pennsylvania.

The forum is being hosted by state Rep. Eli Evankovich and local GOP chairs from Westmoreland and Allegheny counties.

"We wanted to give voters an opportunity to learn about all the candidates seeking the office of U.S. Senator from PA," Evankovich said in a statement. "The more educated the voter is, the better chance we have of picking the right candidate to win this important Senate seat."

"This will be an exciting event for Murrysville and the Franklin Regional School District," said Jill Cooper, chair of the Murrysville-Export Republican Committee, in a press release.

Evankovich is also a Frankin Regional grad, as is Marc Scaringi, who's participating as one of the U.S. Senate Republican candidates.

Dave Majernik, chairman of the Plum Borough Republican Committee, said he is very pleased with the response to date.

"Voters are coming from all over both counties," he said. "Pennsylvania is going to be a key state in 2012 and voters are energized."

There will be a reception immediately following the event where attendees can meet the candidates trying to unseat U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr.

The eight candidates debating Friday night are: Tim Burns, Dave Christian, John Kensinger, Robert Allen Mansfield, Sam Rohrer, Marc Scaringi, Tom Smith and Steve Welch. Laureen Cummings is running, but not debating.