Democratic Sen. Bob Casey is denying the results of the 2024 election in a desperate attempt to hold onto power in Pennsylvania, refusing to accept the Associated Press‘ election call that handed victory to Republican Senator-elect Dave McCormick — despite once demanding President-elect Donald Trump accept his own 2020 election defeat.
The numbers are clear: McCormick leads by 31,000 votes with 99% counted.
But Casey’s team is refusing to back down.
“The number of provisional ballots expected from areas that favor Senator Casey, like Philadelphia and its suburbs, is further proof that this race is too close to be called,” insisted Casey spokesperson Maddy McDaniel Friday.
Casey’s stance marks a stark reversal from 2020, when he tweeted that “President Donald Trump should concede. Full stop.”
He even lectured Trump to “do what every president who’s been defeated has done in the past.”
Now Casey and Pennsylvania Democrats are fundraising for a potential recount — which only triggers automatically if the margin falls below half a percentage point.
The AP said it called the race because “there were not enough [outstanding votes] in areas supporting Casey for him to make up the difference.” Even fellow Democrat Sen. John Fetterman’s support for waiting to count every vote hasn’t swayed election experts.
McCormick isn’t waiting. His team filed legal challenges Thursday night targeting how Philadelphia handles outstanding ballots, arguing up to 20,000 provisional ballots could be invalid due to missing signatures and other irregularities.
The $344 million race — Pennsylvania’s most expensive Senate battle ever — gives Republicans their 53rd Senate seat and ends a political dynasty. Casey’s father served two terms as governor, and the younger Casey has represented Pennsylvania since 2007.
But Casey’s refusal to concede may cement a different legacy: joining the ranks of election result deniers he once condemned.