BREAKING NEWS: Castle announces plans to run for U.S. Senate

U.S. Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) on Tuesday afternoon announced his intention to run for U.S. Senate and the seat formerly held by Vice-President Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Castle’s statement on Oct. 6 was as follows:
“Thank you all for coming out today and for allowing me to serve Delaware. Most importantly, thank you to my wife, Jane, for her support and encouragement.

“These are challenging times and we need common sense governing. On the economy, health care, national defense, or any critical issue that we face today, now is the time for independent voices and workable solutions that put people first, not politics.

“It has never been more important for Delaware to have the strongest and most experienced leadership to represent us in Washington. We are best served by an experienced, independent voice and that is why I am announcing my intention to run for the United States Senate.

“With this announcement, my focus will remain representing Delaware’s interests in Congress. Our official campaign kickoff will come later.

“In Delaware we have found ways to work together to solve problems. This is how I served as Governor and what I fight for everyday in the U.S. House of Representatives. With your support, I assure you it will remain my priority in the U.S. Senate.”

The seat Castle intends to run for is currently held by U.S. Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-Del.), who was appointed by then-Gov. Ruth Ann Minner to complete Biden’s term after he was elected vice-president of the United States.

Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) issued the following statement in response to the announcement that Castle will run for the Senate seat open in 2010.

Carper said, “I am sure this was a tough decision for Congressman Castle to make. Mike will be a very formidable candidate. However, I am convinced the Democrats will have an equally formidable candidate of our own. This is going to be an exciting Senate race for Delaware, and one for the ages.”

Eric Schultz, communications director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, released the following statement:

“Mike Castle ran his first campaign in 1967. After four decades in politics, it is clear which direction Mike Castle wants to move Delaware and the country. He built-up a record of supporting the George Bush economic policies, including tax cuts for the super-wealthy, that drove Delaware’s economy into a ditch – and now won’t support any of the Obama-Biden plans to fix it. This will be a race about who is positioned to lead Delaware into the future, and Democrats fully intend to hold onto the Vice-President’s seat.”

Biden’s son, Delaware Attorney General Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III, who recently returned from his deployment in Iraq with his National Guard unit, is also rumored to be a likely candidate for the Senate seat.