In one of the most closely watched contests in recent Pennsylvania political history, Republican Dave McCormick claimed a narrow victory over Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey, a win that could still lead to a recount due to the razor-thin margin.

McCormick’s slight edge of 49% to Casey’s 48.5% prompted the Associated Press to declare him the winner, but Casey’s camp announced intentions to seek a recount given over 100,000 ballots remain uncounted, as the Washington Examiner reports.

McCormick Defeats Casey Amid Intense Race

McCormick, a former Bridgewater CEO, emerged as the Pennsylvania Senate race's victor against Casey, a seasoned political figure in the state. The Associated Press called the race on Thursday afternoon after McCormick took a slender lead.

Despite the verdict, Casey and his campaign team refused to concede, pointing to the significant number of uncounted votes that could swing the outcome. “It has been made clear there are more than 100,000 votes still to be counted,” Casey remarked, emphasizing the importance of a complete vote count.

Speaking at his watch party in Pittsburgh early Wednesday, McCormick voiced confidence in the finalization of results. "In the coming days, the election results will be finalized," he told supporters, projecting optimism for the path ahead.

Shift In Momentum Sealed McCormick's Victory

Leading up to the election, McCormick faced an uphill battle, as initial polls positioned Casey with a slight lead of 2.6 points, according to RealClearPolitics. However, the dynamics began to shift significantly in McCormick’s favor in the final month of campaigning.

The Cook Political Report’s classification of the race as a "toss-up" further indicated the growing competitiveness. On election night, McCormick's numbers saw considerable improvement starting around 10:15 p.m., bolstering his campaign’s hopes.

Throughout the campaign, McCormick criticized Casey, alleging that he was out of touch with Pennsylvania constituents. “Bob pops his head up every six years and tries to act like he’s doing things,” McCormick quipped, capturing the key thematic element of his campaign strategy.

Contentious Issues and Campaign Criticism

Casey, on the other hand, highlighted his bipartisan work, including support for fracking, opposition to NAFTA, and backing tariffs on China. Yet, he countered with critiques about McCormick’s residency in Connecticut and business dealings with China.

The contentious race also touched on McCormick’s past policy positions, particularly on abortion and corporate decisions. Despite being labeled as a pro-life Democrat, Casey targeted McCormick’s abortion stance.

Additionally, both candidates fiercely contested the narrative surrounding the middle-class support each purported to have, with some of McCormick's backers believing his message resonated more effectively than the previous Republican candidate, Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Record Spending and Political Ramifications

Financially, the race drew substantial investment, with a total of $283 million spent, though not surpassing the previous 2022 Senate race expenditures between Fetterman and Oz. This significant spending underscores the critical nature of Senate control for both parties.

With McCormick’s win and the broader success of Senate Republicans, the GOP not only regained control of the upper chamber but solidified their congressional influence.

McCormick’s win also sent optimistic signals to Pennsylvania Republicans regarding the political futures of both McCormick and Donald Trump.

Looking back to McCormick’s previous primary loss to Dr. Mehmet Oz, the political landscape this time around seemed more favorable for him courtesy of strategic campaigning and appealing rhetoric.

Next Steps As Recount Looms

As the state processes the possibility of a recount, McCormick and his supporters remain hopeful, awaiting the conclusion of this electoral chapter. Michael Crow, a McCormick supporter, expressed faith in the process, saying, “It’s all in God’s hands.”

With more than 100,000 votes potentially determining the outcome, the campaign awaits further developments. McDarwell C., a Casey spokeswoman, called for the entirety of Pennsylvania voices to be recognized. "We will make sure every Pennsylvanian’s voice is heard," she asserted.

John Fetterman, among others, insisted on the importance of vote counting completion. "Republicans should chill the F out because we are gonna count every last one in PA,” he jested, underscoring the charged atmosphere surrounding the finalization of results.