Democrats' target in 2016: Sen. Toomey

WASHINGTON - Pat Toomey is up next.

Republicans won control of the Senate Tuesday, but as Democrats look to quickly reclaim the majority, they see the Pennsylvania Republican as one of the country's most inviting targets, setting up what could be one of the hottest Senate races of 2016.

Democrats are eager for a shot at Toomey after seeing him beat Joe Sestak by just two percentage points in 2010, even with the tea party wave behind him. They expect a more favorable playing field this time around, and (they hope) help from star power in the presidential race.

Toomey "should be a stronger candidate in '16 than he was in '10 -- except one problem: Hillary Clinton," said former Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell. "I would love to be a Democrat running against an incumbent Republican senator in 2016."

Much as Republicans ousted red-state Democrats Tuesday, Democrats plan to go after the many blue-state Republicans defending seats in 2016, knowing that presidential campaigns bring wins in places like Pennsylvania.

Toomey supporters, like the Keystone State GOP guru Bob Asher, say the senator is "extremely well-positioned" to win anyway, given his record and acumen. But even the senators' admirers expect an onslaught.

"It's a challenging year for any Republican, particularly in Pennsylvania," said Alan Novak, a former Republican state chairman from Chester County.

Presidential races, he said, energize Democrats in places like Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs.

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Democrats' target in 2016: Sen. Toomey

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