In a surprising turn of events, incumbent Sen. Bob Casey has conceded defeat in the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race to Republican challenger Dave McCormick.
Bob Casey has conceded defeat in the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race to Republican challenger Dave McCormick.
The announcement came via an email from Casey's campaign, in which the Democratic senator admitted to calling McCormick to congratulate him on his victory.
According to CBS News, Casey's email read, "As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last." The senator acknowledged the race's tight nature, one of the closest in Pennsylvania's history, and the ongoing legal battles surrounding vote counting.
Casey's email further stated, "And we stood up against efforts to silence and disenfranchise voters in every corner of the Commonwealth. Thanks to our work in the courts, nearly a thousand eligible voters in Philadelphia will have their votes counted, despite efforts to throw them out." This statement underscores the senator's commitment to ensuring every vote counts, a cornerstone of democratic values.
McCormick, in response, expressed his gratitude towards Casey, stating, "Senator Bob Casey dedicated his career to bettering our commonwealth. Dina and I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Senator Casey, Terese, and their family for their decades of service, hard work, and personal sacrifice." The Republican victor's statement reflects a respectful acknowledgement of his opponent's contributions to the state.
The race's final outcome, however, remains somewhat uncertain due to an ongoing recount. The unofficial vote tally fell within a 0.5% margin, triggering an automatic recount. The state is expected to share the recount results on Wednesday. Interestingly, this marks the fourth time Pennsylvania has conducted a recount in an election since 2004, none of which have altered the initial outcome.
Earlier this month, McCormick delivered a victory speech following the Associated Press's projection of his win. CBS News, however, has not yet projected a winner. McCormick's speech addressed a lawsuit his campaign filed challenging provisional ballots in Philadelphia that are still being counted. The state Supreme Court earlier this year ruled that provisional ballots are a valid way to correct mistakes on mail-in ballots that have errors on them such as no signature or no secrecy envelope.
Sen. John Fetterman, another representative of the Keystone State, praised Casey's legacy, stating it "is a better Pennsylvania." Casey, a native of Scranton, served three terms in the U.S. Senate and held previous roles as state auditor general and treasurer.
McCormick, a native of Washington, Pennsylvania, and raised in Bloomsburg, is the former CEO of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund. He also served on former President Donald Trump's Defense Advisory Board and held top positions under President George W. Bush. His victory signals a shift towards conservative values in the state, a development that could have significant implications for future political dynamics.
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