Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey on Thursday introduced he has conceded the race to Republican candidate Dave McCormick, placing an finish to a prolonged computerized recount within the Keystone State greater than two weeks after Election Day.
Casey mentioned in a press release that he referred to as McCormick to congratulate him. McCormick’s marketing campaign additionally independently confirmed the information to Fox Information Digital.
“I simply referred to as Dave McCormick to congratulate him on his election to signify Pennsylvania in the USA Senate,” Casey mentioned within the assertion. “As the primary rely of ballots is accomplished, Pennsylvanians can transfer ahead with the data that their voices had been heard, whether or not their vote was the primary to be counted or the final.”
“This race was one of many closest in our Commonwealth’s historical past, determined by lower than 1 / 4 of some extent. I’m grateful to the 1000’s of people that labored to ensure each eligible vote forged might be counted, together with election officers in all 67 counties.”
RNC FILES TWO LAWSUITS IN PENNSYLVANIA AMID SEN BOB CASEY REFUSING TO CONCEDE RACE
The Pennsylvania State Division confirmed that every one counties “have accomplished their preliminary rely of all votes forged, except ballots underneath problem.”
“This can be a main step that marks the top of counties’ preliminary counting processes and alerts that counties start getting ready their outcomes for official certification. Hundreds of election professionals have been working tirelessly since Nov. 5 to make sure each eligible vote forged by a registered voter is counted precisely. All of Pennsylvania’s election officers deserve our thanks, in addition to our continued assist whereas they full their duties with integrity,” the message mentioned.
The information comes after McCormick edged out Casey by simply 17,000 votes to win the Senate seat, in response to the latest unofficial information from the Division of State – placing Casey nicely inside the 0.5% margin of error required underneath Pennsylvania regulation to set off an computerized recount.
That recount started Monday and was slated to finish Nov. 26.
The Republican Social gathering blasted Democrats this week for Casey’s refusal to concede the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania, taking goal on the three-term incumbent for transferring forward with a pricey recount effort, regardless of their evaluation that Casey lacked any achievable path to victory.
They have additionally criticized the price, noting that the recount will price taxpayers an estimated $1 million.
In his assertion Thursday, Casey praised the democratic course of and voters who turned out within the Keystone State.
“When a Pennsylvanian takes the time to forged a authorized vote, typically ready in lengthy strains and taking time away from their work and household, they should know that their vote will rely,” Casey mentioned. “That’s democracy.”
Later Thursday, Casey took to X to thank his supporters.
“Throughout my time in workplace, I’ve been guided by an inscription on the Finance Constructing in Harrisburg: ‘All public service is a belief, given in religion and accepted in honor.’”
He added: “Thanks on your belief in me all these years, Pennsylvania. It has been the consideration of my lifetime.”
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Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., mentioned the information “hits me.”
“It’s been a supreme honor to have Bob Casey as a colleague, pal, and mentor,” Fetterman mentioned in a press release. “His legacy is a greater Pennsylvania. Unassuming whereas delivering for PA for almost twenty years, he fought for working Pennsylvanians and unions, rural communities, seniors and folks with disabilities—all of us. Bob Casey was, is, and at all times will probably be Pennsylvania’s finest senator.”