The showdown between Pennsylvania's U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D) and Republican challenger Dave McCormick is tight — and a political analyst tells Axios it could come down to undecided voters.

Why it matters: It's one of the nation's most expensive and competitive Senate races, which could decide the balance of power in the chamber.

The big picture: Casey is seeking a fourth term, having represented the Keystone State in the Senate since 2007.

• McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO, is running for office again after losing the Republican Senate primary to TV personality Mehmet Oz in 2022.

By the numbers: Spending on the contest is still expected to outstrip most Senate races this election cycle, with more than $300 million in ad spending and reservations this year, per AdImpact data as of Friday.

Zoom in: McCormick has focused his campaign on cooling inflation and implementing tougher immigration policies.

• He has called for an end to U.S. investment or trade that benefits China's Communist Party, referring to the country as an "existential" threat to the U.S. — a stark pivot that came after McCormick faced questions about Bridgewater's investments in China while he was in charge.

Meanwhile, Casey has pointed the finger at corporate greed as a culprit for rising costs in Pennsylvania.

• He's sponsored bills to curb price-gouging and targeted "shrinkflation" — or companies' practice of decreasing the size of consumer goods without lowering prices.
• Casey has also pushed for a fairer tax system, opposing cuts for corporations and millionaires.

What they're saying: The race hasn't generated as much attention as the 2022 race compared with the steady drumbeat of news that defined the matchup between then-Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and Oz, St. Joe professor emeritus and political commentator Randall Miller tells Axios.

• That's in part because voter attention has diverted to the presidential race. But many undecided voters will tune in as the Senate race heats up, he says.

What's ahead: The candidates will face each other in a series of debates next month. The first takes place Oct. 3 in Harrisburg, followed by a televised debate in Philadelphia on Oct. 15.

• The candidates are negotiating a third debate in Pittsburgh.

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Laura Foran's late husband, Gerry, had a desk plaque that said, "I'm kind of a big deal."

• The 47-year-old Allentown woman is matching that spirit today by embarking on a cross-country bike trek that aims to raise $1 million for cancer research.

The big picture: Foran, an oncology nurse who works for pharmaceuticals giant Bristol Myers Squibb, is participating in the 3,000-mile ride with more than 120 of her colleagues to benefit the V Foundation.

• Her company will match up to $500,000 raised by the riders.

It's all in memory of Gerry, who died last year at age 47 after a 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

• Foran says her husband was the generous "mayor" of their Lehigh County block.
• He'd hand out tomatoes to neighbors so they'd feel welcome. And the community rallied behind Gerry in return, tying purple ribbons and balloons on their mailboxes following his diagnosis.

Gerry was the type of person who saw a problem and fixed it, Foran says.

• "We couldn't fix him, but our goal is to fix this [problem] for the future."

What's ahead: Foran kicks off the first leg of her biking journey with her team today in St. Louis. She plans to end three days from now in Indianapolis.

And she knows she'll feel Gerry's presence along the way.

• "I know he's watching out for me," she said.

Go deeper: About Foran's foundation

⚖️ UPenn will suspend law professor Amy Wax at half pay for the 2025-26 year, and will impose additional disciplinary actions, for violating the university's behavioral standards and engaging in "flagrantly unprofessional conduct."

• Wax, who will remain at the school and not lose tenure, has faced years of criticism, including for inviting a white supremacist to lecture to her class and making inflammatory comments. (Inquirer🔒)

🏆 Four area high schools received National Blue Ribbon honors, including Philly's Central High School for the third time in its history. (KYW)

🚌 SEPTA is rolling out 10 hydrogen fuel cell buses in the fall. The technology doesn't emit any pollution from the tailpipe of a bus. (WHYY)

Former State Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell was quietly hired last month as Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal's new spokesperson.

Why it matters: The Sheriff's Office has a history of scandals, and Bilal has faced questions about how she runs her office.

Driving the news: Johnson-Harrell, who was convicted in 2020 of stealing from a nonprofit she founded, has served as the sheriff's public information officer since August, per her LinkedIn.

• City officials refused to confirm Johnson-Harrell's start date for Axios, and the law department wouldn't disclose her salary.

The intrigue: Salary information is publicly available under state law, but the city's online portal hasn't been updated to reflect Johnson-Harrell's hiring.

What they're saying: Bilal didn't respond to Axios' requests for comment, and Johnson-Harrell hung up the phone when reached for comment.

Flashback: Johnson-Harrell, a longtime social justice activist with a large social media following, was elected during a 2019 special election as the first female Muslim member of the state Legislature.

• But she resigned from office and spent two months in prison after pleading guilty to theft and perjury.
• She was accused of taking more than $500,000 from a nonprofit she founded to help people in need and spending it on luxe vacations and clothing.

Johnson-Harrell worked as a consultant for District Attorney Larry Krasner before landing with the Sheriff's Office.