POLITICS

On campaign trail, Toomey gets earful of Trump questions

MARC LEVY, Associated Press

CHAMBERSBURG — U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is a critic of Donald Trump’s and he’s skipping the Republican National Convention, and he’s getting questions about it from Republican voters as he hopscotches to meet-and-greets across Pennsylvania in his re-election campaign.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, left, chats with teenagers Blake Wade, left and twin brother Logan, and Nick Spinelli, right, at the Cambria County Republican headquarters in Johnstown, Pa., where he stopped to meet with supporters on the campaign trail, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. At far left is Jackie Kulbak, chairwoman of the county's Republican party. (John Rucosky/Tribune-Democrat via AP)

Toomey addressed a gathering at a Chambersburg-area restaurant Wednesday where he fielded several questions about the Republican presidential nominee, including whether his criticism is hurting Trump.

Democrat Katie McGinty is challenging Toomey in a closely watched race.

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Toomey responded that he’s encouraged by Trump’s short-list of would-be high court nominees and his selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate.

Still, Toomey questions Trump’s commitment to conservativism, and says people will vote for Trump based on their feelings about Trump, not his.

But one questioner, retiree Ray Myers, says criticism of Trump by top Republicans helps Democrat Hillary Clinton.