After weeks of uncertainty following the closely contested Pennsylvania Senate race, Democratic incumbent Bob Casey conceded defeat to Republican challenger Dave McCormick on November 22, 2024. This announcement came more than two weeks after Election Day, during which time the ballots continued to be diligently counted amid claims from both sides over election integrity.
Casey acknowledged his loss after the outcome remained unchanged during the statewide recount process, which had been triggered by the narrow margin separating the two candidates. The Associated Press officially called the race for McCormick shortly after Election Day, citing his lead of around 16,000 votes out of nearly seven million ballots cast, which represented approximately 0.24% of the total vote.
"This race was one of the closest in our Commonwealth’s history, decided by less than a quarter of a point," Casey remarked, emphasizing the importance of ensuring every vote was counted. "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."
McCormick’s victory not only reverses Casey's 18-year hold on his Senate seat but also expands the Republican majority to 53 seats in the upper chamber of Congress. His campaign managed to out-fund Casey's, making it one of the most expensive Senate races during this election season, fueled by financial support from various hedge fund allies.
Despite Casey’s efforts to challenge the outcome, claiming potential for uncounted ballots to impact the race, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court dealt significant blows to his campaign. The court ruled against counting mail-in ballots lacking correct handwritten dates, which Casey had hoped could help narrow the deficit.
After filing several legal actions throughout the recount, Casey’s focus shifted to protecting the legitimacy of the voting process. He was able to have thousands of provisional ballots counted, which had previously faced disqualification due to minor errors by election workers. Nonetheless, other efforts to challenge counts against ballots with basic errors met with failure.
The recount was initially projected to cost taxpayers more than $1 million and was expected to conclude by the end of November. Yet after Casey officially conceded, the Pennsylvania Department of State announced it would call off the recount, stating there was little likelihood of significant change to the election results. Governor Josh Shapiro remarked on Casey's decision to pursue the recount longer than necessary, pointing out the financial strain it had put on the state.
McCormick expressed his gratitude for Casey's many years of public service, noting they represent different values and governance strategies. Upon announcing his victory, he stated, "I am so honored to represent every single citizen in Pennsylvania and will fight for you every day," highlighting his intent to take the mantle seriously.
After losing to Dr. Mehmet Oz during the previous GOP primary, McCormick’s path to the Senate this time around was bolstered by party backing. He had returned to the political scene with determination to unseat Casey, leveraging his business background and notable financial resources to mount his campaign. His focus on education issues, particularly addressing antisemitism on college campuses, could suggest future shifts within Congress as he steps forward to serve.
Casey's loss marks the end of his tenure as Pennsylvania's longest-serving Democratic senator, and as he steps back from the political arena, Casey reflected on his career spanning over three decades. He thanked Pennsylvanians for their support and reiterated his commitment to advocate for the interests of his constituents even beyond the Senate podium.
The election outcome not only reshapes the political dynamics within Pennsylvania but also within the broader U.S. Senate, potentially paving the way for more contentious political battles over key issues. Moving forward, the McCormick-led Republican agenda will aim to influence legislation significantly as his position on contentious topics like federal education funding and social issues will come under close scrutiny within conversations across Congress.
With the balance of power shifting, all eyes remain on the Senate as McCormick prepares to take office, signaling what could be new legislative challenges and renewed debates over the direction of both Pennsylvania and national policy.
