Democratic senator Bob Casey conceded to Republican Dave McCormick on Thursday, days after the Associated Press had called the Pennsylvania Senate election for McCormick.
When Casey lost narrowly to McCormick on November 5, the three-term incumbent refused to accept the election results, instead hiring Democratic elections lawyer Marc Elias to lead a recount effort. The Pennsylvania supreme court, as well as the state’s governor, Josh Shapiro, ordered boards of elections in Pennsylvania to dispose of invalid ballots.
“I just called Dave McCormick to congratulate him on his election to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate,” Casey said in a video statement posted to social media. “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.”
“This race was one of the closest in our commonwealth’s history, decided by less than a quarter of a point. I am grateful to the thousands of people who worked to make sure every eligible vote cast could be counted, including election officials in all 67 counties,” Casey continued. “When a Pennsylvanian takes the time to cast a legal vote, often waiting in long lines and taking time away from their work and family, they deserve to know that their vote will count. That’s democracy.”
The race was his toughest reelection bid, Casey had said in the past. On Thursday evening, when Casey conceded, McCormick led by nearly 16,000 votes and almost seven million ballots had been counted. McCormick’s win hands Republicans a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and he said that he was “so honored.”
“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,” McCormick said. “I am so honored to represent every single citizen in Pennsylvania in the United States Senate and will fight for you every day. Thank you!”