Pat Toomey, Katie McGinty Square Off In First Senate Debate
by Justin Udo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Pennsylvania Republican Senator Pat Toomey faced off against Democratic challenger Katie McGinty in the first of two debates on Monday.
Monday's debate in Pittsburgh was heated from start when the candidates were asked if they back their party's nominee for president.
"I do support Hillary Clinton for President, because she is going to work for working class families. The same reason I'm in this campaign," McGinty opened.
Toomey would not endorse Donald Trump for President, and he took some shots at McGinty in his reasoning.
"Katie is so extremely partisan that she can't grasp the idea that somebody might have trouble with a candidate in their own party, but I do. I've been very public about my many disagreements with Donald Trump. I have been willing to criticize him because I think he is a badly flawed candidate," said Toomey.
And McGinty pressed him on the issue.
McGinty: "The Senator is the only person in the United States of America who has not leveled with his constituents on this simple question. Are you voting for Donald Trump?"
Moderator: "Senator, one more go at this, will you disclose to your constituents and to other voters how you're going to vote before the election?"
Toomey: "At some point I probably will."
During the 50-minute debate Republican incumbent Senator Pat Toomey and Democratic challenger Katie McGinty traded insults and barbs.
"Pennsylvania workers lost their jobs, but Katie is a multimillionaire now," Toomey said.
"The Senator also knows well: crony capitalism," McGinty lobbed back.
They also talked about issues the moderators thought were important to voters.
They hit on points like how they each made their millions, voting for a Supreme Court Justice, and jobs in Pennsylvania.
But they stood in unison denouncing Donald Trump's claims that the election in Pennsylvania is rigged.
"Our elections may not always be completely perfect, but they are legitimate. They have integrity, and everyone needs to respect the outcome," said Toomey.
"I think it's a very dangerous and reckless allegation and suggestion that Donald Trump has been making," said McGinty.
The next debate is scheduled to take place on October 24th in Philadelphia.
