Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania (D) admitted on Thursday to Republican Dave McCormick, cementing the Republican majority in the Senate despite an ongoing statewide recount.
“I just called Dave McCormick to congratulate him on his election to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate,” Casey said in a video posted to social media. “Now that the initial counting of ballots is complete, Pennsylvanians can move forward knowing their voices were heard, regardless of whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last.”
The race was called McCormick two weeks ago by The Associated Press, but the state underwent an automatic recount because the margin was within the 0.5% threshold. Republicans will have a strong 53-47 majority in the House from the end of January.
Democrats had hoped to retain the seat, which Casey has held for three terms since he was first elected in 2006. But newly elected President Donald Trump’s power in the state helped elevate McCormick, a former hedge fund manager and Gulf War veteran, to the next level. Congress.
“This race was one of the closest in the history of our Commonwealth,” Casey said in a statement. “I am grateful to the thousands of people who worked to ensure that every eligible vote could be counted.”
“When a Pennsylvanian takes the time to cast a legal vote, often waiting in long lines and taking time away from work and family, they deserve to know their vote will count,” he continued. “That is democracy.”
McCormick thanked Casey later Thursday, saying the senator had “dedicated his career to improving our commonwealth.”
“Dina and I would like to express our sincere thanks to Senator Casey, Terese and their family for their decades of service, hard work and personal sacrifice,” McCormick wrote on the United States and will fight for you every day. Thank you!”
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Fellow Pennsylvania Democrat Senator John Fetterman thanked Casey for his service following the news and said his colleague was a “friend and mentor.”
“His legacy is a better Pennsylvania,” Fetterman wrote on All of us.”
“Bob Casey was, is and always will be Pennsylvania’s best senator.”