Three candidates are on the Democratic ballot for United States Senator in the April 26 primary election: John Fetterman, Allegheny County, Katie McGinty, Chester County and Joe Sestak, Delaware County. A fourth candidate, Joseph Vodvarka, Allegheny County, was removed from the ballot. Voters are asked to select one candidate.

The Press asked all Democratic candidates the question, “What do you see as the primary concern of your constituents?” The candidates’ answers are listed below.

Democratic Race

John Fetterman

“There currently isn’t a voice in Washington that understands what it’s like or lives in a community where there hasn’t been a corresponding level of care, investment or concern. I understand the issues Pennsylvanians take on every day because I have lived them and had to confront them as mayor of one of the most troubled communities in the Commonwealth. I want to bring the lessons and outlooks that I have, which are unique to any of the candidates in this race, and bring them to the U.S. Senate because they currently don’t exist there.”

Katie McGinty

“Everywhere I go, people tell me the same thing: there aren’t enough jobs to go around, and the ones we do have don’t pay enough for people to get by. Our middle class is getting squeezed out of the picture as the cost of living goes up and wages don’t. I’ve spent my career creating good paying jobs and job training opportunities in our Commonwealth. In the Senate, I’ll fight to rebuild our middle class by investing in affordable education and job training, raising the minimum wage and bringing clean, innovative manufacturing and infrastructure jobs back to Pennsylvania.”

Joe Sestak

“I know – having left the Navy after 31 years to fight for healthcare for all families after my daughter won her battle with cancer – that national security begins at home with access to healthcare, quality education and good-paying jobs. But I also know that people have lost their faith in their elected officials, which is why the biggest deficit we have in America isn’t the debt – it’s the trust deficit. I want to restore people’s trust in their leaders by being not a politician, but a public servant accountable to the people above politics, party, and type.”

Republican Race

Pat Toomey

Uncontested in the Republican race.