Allentown, Pa. — The Toomey campaign is gathering tonight here in the presidential ballroom of the Holiday Inn, and while the only crowd so far is taking up residence in the press corner, it looks to be a jam-packed night.

Mark Harris, Toomey campaign manager, spoke to Battle ‘10 on the plans for the evening. “We’re expecting about 300 people or so,” Harris said, explaining that the campaign had offered an invitation to “anyone who ever donated” including “77,000 donors from all across country, [and] in every county in the state.” Harris praised the campaign’s volunteers, “who have worked tirelessly,” many of whom are also expected to turn up.

“And of course this is the Lehigh Valley,” added Harris, explaining prominent attendees would include “Pat’s friends and family, and also everyone who has been with him maybe in some cases as far back as his first congressional run in 1998.”

“I think everyone’s jazzed up,” reflected Harris. “This is really a victory that’s six years in the making.”

Harris was quick to credit Toomey’s original base of support, a coterie of roughish Republicans that backed him during his contentious 2004 primary challenge against Arlen Specter.

“I think a lot of the credit — if things work out — goes to the folks who labored on that 2004 race,” Harris added. “This will be a truly historic night for Pennsylvania if things go as it looks like they’re going right now.”