Sen. Bob Casey conceded to Dave McCormick on Thursday evening, saying in a video posted on X that he called his Republican challenger to congratulate him more than two weeks after Election Day and a day after a statewide recount had been triggered.
After the Associated Press called the race for a Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat for McCormick on Nov. 7, an automatic recount went into effect under state law because the margin was less than 0.5%. As the deadline for Casey to waive his rights to a recount passed, election officials began tallying the votes again Wednesday.
McCormick led by about 16,000 votes out of almost 7 million ballots counted as of Thursday, the Associated Press said.
“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,” Casey said.
During my time in office, I have been guided by an inscription on the Finance Building in Harrisburg: “All public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor.”
Thank you for your trust in me for all these years, Pennsylvania. It has been the honor of my lifetime. pic.twitter.com/RSXEFwdge8— Bob Casey Jr. (@Bob_Casey) November 21, 2024
Earlier in the week, Casey's bid for a fourth term took a blow when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that mail-in ballots that were invalidated because of an incorrect date were not allowed to be counted.
Republicans had already regained control of the U.S. Senate and this concession solidified a 53-47 majority next year in the upper chamber.
"I am so honored to represent every single citizen in Pennsylvania in the United States Senate and will fight for you every day," said McCormick, who extended his gratitude for his opponent's decades-long service.
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.
I am so honored to represent every single citizen in… https://t.co/aUxlLZJMua— Dave McCormick (@DaveMcCormickPA) November 21, 2024
Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate in 2022, praised Casey as a mentor and advocate for Pennsylvania residents.
"This hits me," Fetterman said in a statement released shortly after Casey conceded. He added that "Bob Casey was, is, and always will be Pennsylvania's best senator."
