Pennsylvania Democrats looking to defeat Republican Sen. Patrick J. Toomey and win back the Senate in the 2016 have been heartened by Katie McGinty’s decision to run.

McGinty, a former key environmental adviser to President Bill Clinton, resigned as chief of staff to Gov. Tom Wolf earlier this month.

Concerned Democrats have been pursuing an alternative to Joe Sestak, an admiral and ex-congressman who lost a close race to Toomey back in 2010. Sestak, who is seen as a riskier candidate, makes no bones about his maverick campaigning style. As quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the 63-year-old candidate said, “If the Washington party establishment, or some people in Philadelphia, want a candidate they can control, I’m not their guy.”

Pennsylvania Democratic operative Michael Bronstein feels that with either candidate, the Democrats have a good chance of taking back the state. Speaking to Roll Call about the candidates, Bronstein said, “They’re both very strong Democrats who have good views on litmus test issues, so in a race like that, those types of races tend to get much more personal, quickly.”

The 52-year-old McGinty comes to the senate race with a reputation for exemplifying a charismatic prowess in debates, as well as a commitment to seeing her causes through.

Gov. Wolf praised her efforts via statement, saying, “Katie’s work has [helped] lay the course for my administration, and I greatly appreciate her efforts to fix our schools, create jobs and build a better Pennsylvania.”

McGinty’s ties to Wolf are seen as a definite asset for her campaign, particularly when it comes to fundraising. Larry Ceisler, a Philadelphia-based Democrat, notes how Wolf’s perceived presence could only help fundraising for McGinty. Ceisler adds, “For a lot of Democrats who contribute, giving money against Joe Sestak is not going to be a stretch.”