The razor-thin race between Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick and incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) is headed to a recount, according to state election officials.
The Pennsylvania Department of State announced McCormick’s slim lead came within recount territory in a press release Wednesday evening. Just 29,3338 votes, or 0.43%, separate the two candidates, per the state’s data.
With 99% of ballots processed, the Associated Press called the race in McCormick’s favor earlier this week, pushing the Democratic incumbent, who never conceded, to suggest the outlet had declared the results prematurely.
Under state law, races within the 0.5% margin of victory qualify for a recount. With Casey’s decision to pursue such an action, the recount, which is projected to cost more than $1 million of taxpayer funds, is set to commence by Nov. 20 and must end by Nov. 26.
“Senator Casey wants all Pennsylvanians’ voices to be heard as local county elections officials continue to count votes,” Casey campaign manager Tiernan Donohu said Wednesday morning. “This democratic process must be allowed to play out to determine the result of this election.”
The McCormick campaign responded to the news by labeling the recount effort “a waste of time.”
“Senator-elect McCormick’s lead is insurmountable, which the AP made clear in calling the race. A recount will be a waste of time and taxpayer money, but it is Senator Casey’s prerogative. Senator-elect McCormick knows what it’s like to lose an election and is sure Senator Casey will eventually reach the right conclusion,” McCormick Spokeswoman Elizabeth Gregory said in a statement.
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Her words come as McCormick has already descended on Washington, D.C., for freshman Senate orientation.
The latest news could mark a setback to McCormick’s hopes of holding on to his House seat. It also marks the second time in two years that he has been subjected to a recount. During his 2022 GOP Senate primary, McCormick went into a recount after losing to Mehmet Oz by roughly 1,000 votes.