Casey voices support for Roggio

When Bob Casey Jr. was running for a U.S. Senate office in Pennsylvania in 2006, retired businessman Bob Roggio pitched in to help out the campaign, and later even worked for the victorious Democrat's staff.

Now that Roggio, still very much a political newcomer, is making his own run for Congress, Casey is returning the favor.

In an e-mail to Roggio's supporters Saturday, Casey said he was "enthusiastically supporting Bob's candidacy and committing myself to helping Bob win in November."

Roggio is running against U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-West Pikeland) in a 6th Congressional District race some have depicted as an uphill battle for the challenger, but Roggio's campaign has promised it will be competitive.

"Bob isn't a typical politician," Casey wrote. "He has spent the majority of his life building a business, creating jobs, and providing for employees. He and his wonderful wife, Jeannie, have raised 3 children and 2 grandchildren in Pennsylvania.

"More than anything, Bob is someone who gets the job done," he added. "After retiring from his successful business career, Bob fulfilled a lifelong goal to complete his college education, graduating from Penn State University at the age of 56. Since that time, Bob has dedicated himself to service and his community."

UPDATE: Roggio campaign manager Liz Conroy e-mail PolitickerPa.com late this afternoon and added the following statement.

"Bob is thrilled to have the support of Senator Casey.  Casey's commitment to integrity and public service have always guided Bob, and he looks forward to calling him a colleague in 2009."