Following an initial report over the weekend that Senator Pat Toomey would not run for re-election in 2022, he made it official Monday morning.
“I will not be running for re-election in 2022, nor will I be running for governor,” Toomey said at a press conference. “I will serve out the remainder of my term for the little over two years that are left in my remaining term. After that, my plan is to go back into the private sector.”
The two-term Republican was originally elected to the senate in 2010, and won re-election in 2016.
Toomey said he wanted to give prospective candidates an opportunity to get organized, instead of allowing lingering speculation.
“Once I made my decision, I found its best that I let people know. And if I let some people know, I should let everybody know,” Toomey said. “I also think, frankly, it will be helpful for Republicans across the state that are thinking about running either for senate or governor, to have a little more time to have a plan, get organized, and launch their campaigns.”
With the news comes speculation of which candidates could possibly throw their hat into the ring.
Toomey was widely viewed as the GOP favorite were he to enter the governor’s race.
The 2022 senate election also coincides with the Pennsylvania governor’s race, as current Governor Tom Wolf is term restricted.
