Even as state Republicans appear to be lining up behind former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey in the 2010 Senate race, state Sen. Jane Orie of Allegheny County, says she may seek the nomination.

In a statement released today, Orie said, "I continue to be deeply troubled by the direction our country is heading and I am considering future opportunities, including a run for the United States Senate.”

Orie, who as the Senate Majority Whip is the highest ranking woman in the state legislature, travelled to Washington recently to meet with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, (R.,TX), chairman of the Senate Republican Campaign Committee and Pennsylvania Republican State Committee Chairman Rob Gleason to discuss a Senate campaign, according to the online news service Capitolwire.com 

Sources close to Cornyn told Pensylvania Republicans that Orie did not "wow" anyone in D.C., Capitolwire.com reported.

Orie described herself as a “pro-gun, pro-life, fiscal conservative,"  in other words, as one said, another Toomey.

She also faces a formidable fundraising opponent in Toomey who has $1.6 million on hand.

Political analyst Terry Madonna said Orie has "the two Gs" in her favor: "gender and geography," but added he couldn't predict whether that would be enough for her to give Toomey a run. Johnstown-based Republican activist and former gubernatorial candidate Peg Luksik also has announced her candidacy for the Senate seat.

Sen. Arlen Specter, now running as a Democrat, may face challenges from U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D., PA) and state Rep. Bill Kortz (D., Allegheny).

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