Laura Vecsey's Blog

Middle Ground

Jane Orie worried that a Senate run would have hurt sister’s judicial bid

The word on the street is that Jane Orie’s short-lived exploration about a 2010 U.S. Senate bid was indeed shut down quick due to concern about potential damage her sister’s judicial race.

In other words: If Jane Orie ran against Pat Toomey in a GOP primary, then Joan Orie Melvin might have a tough time in her bid for state Supreme Court, should Toomey supporters decide to dole out some payback and vote against Judge Joan.

The state Senator flew to Washington with state GOP Chairman Robert Gleason, who has been seeking candidates to step into the U.S. Senate primary. But after meeting with national GOP leaders. Orie quickly reversed course, sending a press release out saying she was staying in Harrisburg, for now.

Toomey has since garnered the endorsement of the National Republican Senatorial Committee as he coalesces support from GOP leaders across the state. While some party insiders say Toomey is too conservative to win in Pennsylvania, others are OK with him at the top of the ticket, especially if he can bring out the base.