David McCormick in 2024 PA Senate race

On Civil Rights: Denounced "structural bigotry" in 2020; "wokeness" in 2022

Shortly after George Floyd's murder in May 2020, McCormick penned an open letter that denounced what he called "structural bigotry"--one of many steps he took while CEO of Bridgewater Associates to push the company's diversity and inclusion initiative.

"Racism and discrimination more broadly thrive not just in overt actions but also in omissions and willful ignorance. Benefiting from a system that quietly discriminates--without acknowledging it and helping to repair it--only propagates that system," McCormick wrote in a note to Bridgewater's employees. "With empathy and genuine conviction, we can and must show this solidarity by denouncing and eradicating structural bigotry around us."

On Education: Reimagine how we educate people, through school choice

On Foreign Policy: Ensure the United States stands up for itself in the world

On Foreign Policy: Oppose China to practice and preserve our exceptionalism

On Free Trade: Extend the Trump administration's model of fair trade

1. Extend the Trump administration's model of fair trade.
2. Reduce our dependence on China and secure our supply chains.
3. Stop U.S. companies from funding China's military modernization, technological ambitions, and human rights abuses.
4. Stand up to the CCP by protecting American innovation and holding China accountable for its thievery and abuses.
5. Finally, look to our friends and allies to out-innovate China.

On Government Reform: Cut red tape and get out of the way of private innovation

On Social Security: Entitlements are not sustainable in their present form

On Technology: Win the race for data leadership, get Big Tech under control

On Principles & Values: Candidates with Muslim background are a political liability

On Abortion: Opposes national abortion ban: states should decide

Abortion : Ban or legal?
• Bob Casey (D): Legal. "Will never support the Republican effort to ban abortions." Overturning Roe v. Wade is "dangerous," "will put women's lives at risk." Voted to make abortion rights federal law. In 2018 called himself "pro-life" but voted mostly to maintain abortion access.
• David McCormick (R): Mostly ban. Is "pro-life." Called overturning Roe v. Wade "a huge victory for the protection of innocent life." In 2022 supported banning abortion except to save a mother's life. Now also supports exceptions for rape and incest. Opposes a national abortion ban. "States should decide."

On Corporations: Cut the red tape; let firms innovate

Economy : Decrease or increase government investment in, and regulation of, the economy?
• Bob Casey (D): Increase. Supports federal funding for infrastructure and internet, including $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill and policies that create "good-paying jobs." Would regulate banking overdraft penalties and other "hidden fees." Supports cracking down on companies that shrink products without lowering prices. Wants support for the childcare sector.
• David McCormick (R): Mostly decrease. To address inflation, "we have to get spending back under control" and stop "the war on energy." "Washington must take a more active role in promoting American innovation" but "cut the red tape and get out of the way of private citizens and firms trying to innovate."

On Crime: Fewer police means less safe communities

Criminal Justice : How to ensure effectiveness and fairness in law enforcement?
• Bob Casey (D): Supports "our law enforcement" and wants to hold "accountable those who abuse their positions of public trust." Introduced legislation to reduce violent incidents between police and people with mental and physical disabilities. Voted to decrease federal funding for localities that defund the police.
• David McCormick (R): "Dangerous rhetoric and lax law enforcement policies have led to an increase in crime." Fewer police "means less safe communities." Police are "poorly funded" and need "qualified immunity," which protects police from civil lawsuits for use of excessive force.

On Drugs: Marijuana is a gateway to harder drugs

Marijuana : Ban or legal?
• Bob Casey (D): Mostly legal. In 2021 supported decriminalization; undecided on legalization. Introduced a bill sealing federal arrest records for simple drug possession.
• David McCormick (R): Likely ban. On legalization, "I haven't taken a position,... but right now I'm leaning toward no." Calls marijuana a gateway to harder drugs.

On Education: Patriotic education instead of liberal wokeness

Education : Limit teaching of issues around racism and gender identity?
• Bob Casey (D): No. "The idea that it's 'harmful' to children to even discuss the existence of LGBTQ+ people isn't just ridiculous -- it's dangerous." Introduced a bill funding African American history. "For far too long, our education system has taught an incomplete version of American history, which downplays the oppression that the Black community has experienced and continues to experience."
• David McCormick (R): Likely yes. Pledged to restore "honest, patriotic education in our schools" and "stand up to the liberal wokeness infiltrating all aspects of our society." Supports teaching "civics and America's exceptional story."

On Education: No transgender students in women's sports

LGBT Rights : Limit or expand LGBTQ rights?
• Bob Casey (D): Expand. Sponsored a bill prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Voted to federally recognize same-sex marriage. Sponsored a bill to ban commercial conversion therapy.
• David McCormick (R): Mixed. Opposes transgender students participating in women's sports. But while CEO, his hedge fund promoted LGBTQ hiring to "grow the best talent across gender identity" and "sexual orientation," with "fully paid coverage for gender transitions."

On Education: Loan forgiveness forces us to pay someone else's debt

Student Financial Aid : Support lowering interest on student loans and/or forgiving them?
• Bob Casey (D): Yes. Supported canceling $10,000 of student debt for those making less than $125,000 a year. Opposed an effort to overturn Biden's student debt relief plan. In 2019 sponsored a bill allowing eligible student loan borrowers to refinance at lower rates.
• David McCormick (R): No. "Biden's student loan 'forgiveness' scheme... forces the majority of Pennsylvanians without college degrees to pay someone else's debt." It is "unfair & unAmerican."

On Energy & Oil: Unleash oil & gas production; halt clean energy subsidies

Climate Change : Should climate change be a top priority?
• Bob Casey (D): Yes. "We need to invest in meaningful climate action now." Voted for $369 billion investment in climate and renewable energy, the biggest investment in US history." "We must increase the use of renewable energy" while regulating natural gas extraction. Supports tax credits for clean energy workers.
• David McCormick (R): No. "Human activity is one of the many contributing factors" to rising global temperatures. "An anti-fossil fuel agenda" is driven by "radical environmental groups." Would "unleash oil and gas production." Would halt clean energy subsidies. Would "mitigate the risk of climate change" with "market-driven solutions."

On Gun Control: Opposes red flag laws; supports background checks

Gun Laws : Loosen or tighten gun regulation?
• Bob Casey (D): Tighten. Changed to a pro-regulation position after 2012 Sandy Hook massacre.
• David McCormick (R): Mostly loosen. "I'm a proud gun owner who will fight for our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms" and "a strong supporter of the Second Amendment." In 2022 criticized support for "gun restrictions like an assault weapons ban & red flag laws." But supports background checks.

On Health Care: Oppose ObamaCare; support veterans' health care

Health Care : Increase or decrease government support?
• Bob Casey (D): Increase. Sponsored a bill capping insulin price at $35. Voted for government to negotiate Medicare drug costs.
• David McCormick (R): Mostly decrease. In 2022 criticized his Republican primary opponent Mehmet Oz for his past support of Obamacare. Has discussed potentially cutting "entitlements." Would "fight for" veterans' health care.

On Jobs: Don't change nor raise the minimum wage

Minimum Wage : Raise federal minimum from $7.25/hr?
• Bob Casey (D): Yes. "$7.25/hour is not enough for working people to live on." Voted to raise. In 2019 supported gradually raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
• David McCormick (R): No. "I wouldn't change the minimum wage we have now... I wouldn't raise it."

On Principles & Values: For the most part I don't hear extreme rhetoric

On Principles & Values: We need real debate but must dial back violent rhetoric

Dave McCORMICK: We need to have a real debate and fight and argument, conflict about the right direction of the country. But it need not be dehumanizing. It need not lead to violence. And, in fact, it can't. And so I hope we can see a dialing back of that rhetoric. And I certainly am going to try to do my part in being a strong voice for where I think the country should go, but also one that speaks out against violent rhetoric that contributes to the horror we saw yesterday.

On Tax Reform: Make 2017 Trump Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent

Taxes: Raise or lower taxes on corporations and wealthier individuals?Bob Casey (D): Raise. Supports reversing 2017 "massive tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations." Would make largest oil companies pay higher taxes on excess profits, make "wealthy tax cheats and the biggest corporations pay their fair share of taxes."
• David McCormick (R): Mostly lower. Opposes "tax increases." Inflation is "not greedflation [by] you in this room, business people, it's not because you're greedy." Said "we need to make permanent the [2017] Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," the biggest corporate cuts in US history.