MATAMORAS, Pennsylvania — Combat veteran Dave McCormick, who is challenging incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) this year, said that during his 67-county bus tour, he has learned a lot about what is important to voters across the state.

McCormick said that talking with voters in places where few statewide candidates stop to listen to their concerns is energizing and motivating. He said everyone has a story and that grit, entrepreneurship, and perseverance are common characteristics of Pennsylvanians. He said government policies seem designed to drag them down or crush that spirit.