Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey on Thursday introduced he has conceded the race to Republican candidate Dave McCormick greater than two weeks after Election Day.
Casey stated in a press release that he known as McCormick to congratulate him. McCormick’s marketing campaign additionally independently confirmed the information to Fox Information Digital.
“I simply known as Dave McCormick to congratulate him on his election to signify Pennsylvania in america Senate,” Casey stated within the assertion. “As the primary rely of ballots is accomplished, Pennsylvanians can transfer ahead with the information that their voices have 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 a degree. I’m grateful to the 1000’s of people that labored to ensure each eligible vote solid 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
McCormick believes Pennsylvania voters are realizing the significance of the 2024 election. (Reuters/ Related Press)
The Pennsylvania State Division stated Friday that it halted the commonwealth-wide recount that started Monday “as a result of Sen. Casey withdrew and persevering with the recount wouldn’t be in the most effective curiosity of taxpayers.”
The division on Thursday confirmed that each one counties “have accomplished their preliminary rely of all votes solid, excluding ballots beneath problem.”
“It is 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 solid by a registered voter is counted precisely. All of Pennsylvania’s election officers deserve our thanks, in addition to our continued help whereas they full their duties with integrity,” the message stated.
The information comes after McCormick edged out Casey by simply 17,000 votes to win the Senate seat, in line with the newest unofficial information from the Division of State – placing Casey effectively throughout the 0.5% margin of error required beneath Pennsylvania legislation to set off an automated recount.
That was slated to finish Nov. 26.
The Republican Celebration 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 expensive recount effort, regardless of their evaluation that Casey lacked any achievable path to victory.
They additionally criticized the associated fee, noting that the recount would value 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 solid a authorized vote, usually ready in lengthy traces and taking time away from their work and household, they need to know that their vote will rely,” Casey stated. “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 distinction of my lifetime.”
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Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., stated the information “hits me.”
“It’s been a supreme honor to have Bob Casey as a colleague, pal, and mentor,” Fetterman stated 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 other people with disabilities—all of us. Bob Casey was, is, and all the time can be Pennsylvania’s greatest senator.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: This report has been up to date to notice that the Pennsylvania division of state instructed elections officers to cease the recount Thursday night time.