David McCormick’s Blunders in Pennsylvania Senate Race Draw Widespread Criticism

Photo byDavid McCormick for Senate

Hedge Fund CEO Faces Backlash for Missteps on Pennsylvania Issues

David McCormick, the Connecticut hedge fund CEO and Republican Senate candidate in Pennsylvania, is under fire for a series of high-profile gaffes that have drawn criticism from media, political opponents, and even Hersheypark. In just a few hours last week, McCormick made two significant errors that have continued to haunt his campaign, raising questions about his familiarity with the state he aims to represent.

Hersheypark Fact-Checks McCormick’s Claims on Ticket Prices

McCormick's troubles began when he attempted to criticize Pennsylvania's economic conditions by pointing to rising prices at popular state attractions, including Hersheypark. McCormick claimed that prices for park passes had increased by 50% over the past five years. However, Hersheypark quickly refuted his statement in a direct response on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying that their ticket prices have remained at $49.99 for the past five years. This public fact-check by one of Pennsylvania’s most beloved attractions highlighted McCormick’s misstep and underscored the importance of accuracy when discussing local issues.

Nancy Kman, a host on WILK Newsradio's "The Morning News with Nancy & Jason," remarked on the incident, emphasizing that if a candidate is going to talk about price changes, they should ensure their information is correct. The segment further questioned the trend of bringing wealthy, out-of-state candidates into Pennsylvania politics, suggesting that McCormick’s missteps may reflect a broader disconnect.

Confusion Between Philadelphia, Mississippi and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Just hours after the Hersheypark incident, McCormick made another blunder by confusing Philadelphia, Mississippi, with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a comment on a shooting. The mistake, made in a now-deleted post on X, drew sharp rebukes from political opponents and added fuel to criticisms of McCormick’s Pennsylvania credentials.

Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, took to X to mock McCormick’s mix-up, suggesting that such mistakes are common for those who live out of state but run for office in Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that McCormick's post quickly garnered negative attention, underscoring the difficulties faced by candidates perceived as out of touch with local realities.

Political Fallout and Perception Challenges

The recent gaffes have created a challenging narrative for McCormick’s Senate campaign, which is already under scrutiny for his status as a Connecticut resident seeking office in Pennsylvania. Political analysts note that these missteps could have long-lasting implications for McCormick’s bid, as they feed into a broader perception that he lacks a genuine connection to the state.

The Hill’s Senate rankings placed McCormick’s race among the five seats most likely to flip, but noted that recent events have not painted a positive picture for his campaign. As McCormick continues to navigate the fallout from his errors, his opponents are likely to capitalize on these moments to question his suitability for representing Pennsylvania.

Conclusion: An Uphill Battle for McCormick

With these recent blunders, McCormick’s campaign faces the dual challenge of rebuilding credibility and countering the narrative that he is out of touch with Pennsylvania voters. As the race progresses, McCormick will need to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the state’s issues and connect more authentically with its residents to overcome the skepticism that has arisen from these missteps.