The Border Patrol union supports PA GOP Senate nominee McCormick

Republican US Senate candidate from Pennsylvania David McCormick will visit the Mexican border on Wednesday to receive approval from the head of the Border Patrol union in what could be a crucial show of support in a crowded GOP primary.

McCormick, who ran the world’s largest hedge fund Bridgewater Associates until last month, will face TV star Dr. Mehmet Oz, former Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania Jeff Bartos and former Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands to retired Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).

“Strong borders can only be achieved with strong leadership, and Dave McCormick embodies the kind of strength it takes to uphold the rule of law,” said Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, in a statement shared by McCormick’s campaign would.

McCormick will visit the border near Yuma, Arizona, to accept the confirmation as he seeks to hit back at Oz’s high-profile campaign that has hurt McCormick’s international business interests.

McCormick was recently joined by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo — two China hawks who could help McCormick fend off one of Oz’s main attack points.

Bridgewater raised $1.25 billion for new investment in China last year — making the company one of the top foreign investors in the authoritarian nation, according to the Wall Street Journal, and prompting Oz to refer to McCormick as “China’s friend, not ours.” describe.

Notable Oz supporters include former Trade Secretary Wilbur Ross and Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.). Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former New York Gov. George Pataki recently attended an Oz “friend-raiser” in Manhattan.

Former President Donald Trump has yet to announce confirmation in the primary, and his former aides are scattered across the competing camps. Prominent former White House figures Hope Hicks and Kellyanne Conway are among those supporting McCormick.

Both Oz and McCormick recently met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

McCormick’s visit to the border reflects widespread Republican criticism of President Biden’s immigration policies after a record 1.9 million arrests were recorded on the southern border last year.

“One year of Joe Biden created a crisis on our border, leading to more crimes in safe haven cities like Philadelphia and fentanyl pouring into and devastating our communities in Pennsylvania,” McCormick said in a statement.

“Every state is a border state when Joe Biden and his administration incentivize illegal immigration with open borders policies that allow the free flow of illegal immigrants into the country, increase drug and human trafficking, and result in a tragic display of human suffering and exploitation on our border,” he added.

Representatives from the Bartos, Oz and Sands campaigns did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The winner of the GOP primary will attempt to retain the swing state seat for the Republicans. Democratic contenders include the gruff and goateed Lt. gov. John Fetterman, who wore shorts when he greeted Biden in snow-covered Pittsburgh last month, and Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Pa.).