What to Know
- Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania is conceding his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick. The concession came Thursday, more than two weeks after Election Day.
- The ballot-counting process became a spectacle of hours-long election board meetings, lawsuits and accusations that some county officials were flouting the law.
- On Friday, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announced they were halting the recount in the aftermath of Casey's concession.
Democratic Sen. Bob Casey on Thursday conceded his reelection bid to Republican Dave McCormick.
The Pennsylvania senator sent out a statement in which he said that he called McCormick to congratulate him.
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Casey said that he is proud of the work he and his team have done while in the Senate and during this recent election cycle. He thanked his families, supporters and staff.
During my time in office, I have been guided by an inscription on the Finance Building in Harrisburg: “All public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor.”
— Bob Casey Jr. (@Bob_Casey) November 21, 2024
Thank you for your trust in me for all these years, Pennsylvania. It has been the honor of my lifetime. pic.twitter.com/RSXEFwdge8
This announcement comes just days after the state of Pennsylvania began the process of recounting ballots due to the slim margin between the two candidates.
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Pennsylvania's Supreme Court weighed in on the process by ordering counties to not count mail-in ballots that lack a correct handwritten date on the return envelope.
On Friday, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announced they were halting the recount in the aftermath of Casey's concession.
“Following Sen. Casey’s concession announcement yesterday afternoon, his campaign submitted a request to the Department of State to halt ongoing recount efforts," Schmidt wrote. "Last night, the Department informed county elections officials to cease their recount activities because Sen. Casey withdrew and continuing the recount would not be in the best interest of taxpayers."
Republicans will have a 53-47 majority next year in the U.S. Senate.
After Casey conceded, Senator-elect Dave McCormick thanked him in a statement and said he is "honored to represent every single citizen in Pennsylvania."
Read both statements below:
Statement from Bob Casey
“I just called Dave McCormick to congratulate him on his election to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate. As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last.
“This race was one of the closest in our Commonwealth’s history, decided by less than a quarter of a point. 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.
“When a Pennsylvanian takes the time to cast a legal vote, often waiting in long lines and taking time away from their work and family, they deserve to know that their vote will count. That’s democracy.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done since Election Day to enfranchise voters across the state — no matter whom they voted for — and to ensure that the democratic process could unfold. In just a few days, we built an organization of 350 staff across the state, joined by more than a thousand volunteers, who helped more than 6,000 Pennsylvania voters make a plan to fix small issues with their ballot so their vote would be counted.
“From the 100-year-old woman in Butler County, who voted in every election since she was eligible, to the 19 year old in Montgomery County who cast her ballot for the very first time, we made sure those voices were heard.
“And we stood up against efforts to silence and disenfranchise voters in every corner of the Commonwealth. Thanks to our work in the courts, nearly a thousand eligible voters in Philadelphia will have their votes counted, despite efforts to throw them out.
“This work mattered. And I am grateful to the many people who helped with this effort. As you know, no public official serves alone, and I have been blessed by the love and support of my wife, Terese, and our daughters, Elyse, Caroline, Julia, and Marena, all these years.
“I especially want to thank my campaign manager, Tiernan Donohue, our campaign staff, and our supporters for all the work they did to help my 2024 campaign, and all those who have worked on and supported my previous campaigns over the years.
“I also want to thank my current Senate staff, led by my Chief of Staff, Kristen Gentile, for their exemplary public service to the people of our Commonwealth, and all the previous staff who served with me dating back to 2007. But most of all, I want to thank the people of Pennsylvania for granting me the privilege of serving them for 28 consecutive years in public office, as Auditor General, State Treasurer, and United States Senator.
“Every day I have served in public office, I’ve fought for Pennsylvania workers, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and our veterans. During that time, I’ve been guided by an inscription on the Finance Building in Harrisburg: ‘All public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor.’
“Thank you for the trust you have placed in me for all these years. It has been the honor of my lifetime.”
Statement from Dave McCormick
"Senator-Elect Dave McCormick today thanked Senator Bob Casey for his years of service to the commonwealth after Casey called McCormick and conceded the race for U.S. Senate:
"Senator Bob Casey dedicated his career to bettering our commonwealth. Dina and I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Senator Casey, Terese, and their family for their decades of service, hard work, and personal sacrifice.
"I am so honored to represent every single citizen in Pennsylvania in the United States Senate and will fight for you every day. Thank you!”
This is a breaking news story. Check back here for updates.
