After over two weeks, Democrat Bob Casey has finally announced yesterday that he will concede the tight and pivotal Pennsylvania Senate race to Republican candidate Dave McCormick.
“I just called Dave McCormick to congratulate him on his election to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate,” Casey said in the statement yesterday.
“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’s concession came after the Pennsylvania State Department confirmed that all counties “have completed their initial count of all votes cast, with the exception of ballots under challenge.”
As of 5 p.m. today, Pennsylvania's counties have completed their initial count of all votes cast, with the exception of ballots under challenge. This is a major step that marks the end of counties’ initial counting processes and signals that counties begin preparing their results…
— PA Department of State (@PAStateDept) November 21, 2024
McCormick beat Casey by a razor thing 17,000 votes to win the Senate seat, according to the most recent unofficial data from the Department of State – putting Casey well within the 0.5% margin of error required under Pennsylvania law to trigger an automatic recount.
That recount began Monday and was slated to end Nov. 26.
However, members of the Republican Party criticized Democrats this week for Casey’s refusal to concede the race, taking aim at the three-term incumbent for moving ahead with a costly recount effort, despite their assessment that Casey lacked any realistic path to victory.
Critics were very critical of the cost of the recall, which is estimated to cost taxpayers in Pennsylvania nearly $1 million.
In defeat, Casey gave one, final message to voters in the state.
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
“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,” Casey said. “That’s democracy.”
“Thank you for your trust in me all these years, Pennsylvania. It has been the honor of my lifetime.”