Pa., N.J. Democrats praise Kaine pick - and so does Toomey

An unlikely voice joined Pennsylvania and New Jersey Democrats in praising Hillary Clinton's announcement Friday that Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine would be her running mate.

That voice was Sen. Pat Toomey's.

The Pennsylvania Republican issued a statement saying he and Kaine "have a history of working cooperatively together" on Senate initiatives such as addressing the opioid crisis and keeping guns from the mentally ill.

"While Hillary Clinton would be a disaster as president, I have high regard and respect for Tim Kaine," Toomey's statement said. "He is a good choice for the Democratic ticket."

He joined a chorus of praise from Democrats. Cory Booker, the New Jersey senator who purportedly was one of three finalists before Clinton made her decision, tweeted: "KAINE IS ABLE!!!"

Mayor Kenney said in a statement, "Sen. Kaine has demonstrated his compassion and empathy for the poor and those left behind. His record of public service is unparalleled - and I feel a special affinity for his Jesuit view of the world and our call to help those among us who need it most."

Gov. Wolf, too, pointed to Kaine's mission work, saying he "is in public service for the right reasons, helping lift up people and communities - from serving as Jesuit missionary in Honduras to local, state, and national government."

A statement from Katie McGinty, who is challenging Toomey in one of the most closely watched Senate races, said Kaine had a record of "bringing people together to move our country forward."

McGinty, who has tried to link Toomey to GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump though Toomey has not endorsed him, did so again in her statement, noting "the backward agenda put forward by Trump and Toomey."