Kelly

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, announced Friday via a news release that he is considering running in the U.S. Senate race in 2018.

Kelly said that while he previously considered running for governor, he is confident that there are enough strong Republicans already vying for the position.

“I pledged to each of them that I will fully support whoever wins the Republican nomination,” Kelly said in his statement.

He also gave his reason for considering a Senate seat.

“Sen. (Bob) Casey’s far-left pandering in Washington along with his paper-thin record of accomplishments during his long career in government have made him a disappointing representative of Pennsylvania,” he said. “The people of our commonwealth deserve two active legislators who will energetically represent commonsense Pennsylvania values in Congress’ upper chambers.”

Ed Natali, chairman of the Butler County Republican Committee, is confident in Kelly’s chances should he run.

“I think Mike would have excellent support across the state,” he said. “Mike is very well known in the state of Pennsylvania and actually around the country.”

He also thinks Kelly is the right man for the job.

“Mike exudes leadership, character and he’s a man of his principle,” he said. “He says what he means and he means what he says, and leads by his words.”

Natali also noted obstacles Kelly could face. He said the Democratic voter turnout in Philadelphia makes statewide races for Republicans challenging. However, he also believes Kelly transcends partisanship.

Natali is not concerned about how national events and the young presidency of Donald Trump would affect Kelly’s chances. He believes Trump will be exonerated and Kelly won’t be hindered.

“I think my (Democratic) friends across the aisle will try to make it an issue, but the country is not one person,” he said.

Kelly, 69, has been a U.S. congressman since 2011 and is in his fourth term.