McCormick’s win marks a significant shift in the political landscape, with an automatic recount now set to take place.
In a closely contested race, Dave McCormick, co-CEO of Bridgewater Associates, unseated Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat who had held the seat since 2007. McCormick, who had the backing of President-Elect Donald Trump, managed to edge out Casey by less than 0.5% of the vote, prompting an automatic recount under state law. Despite McCormick’s lead, Senator Casey has yet to concede.
This marks McCormick’s second attempt at securing a U.S. Senate seat, following a narrow defeat in the 2022 Republican primary to Dr. Mehmet Oz, who later lost to Democrat John Fetterman in the general election. With a career spanning over 26 years in the private sector, including leadership roles in multiple hedge funds and financial groups, McCormick’s victory represents a key pickup for Republicans in what has been a significant election cycle for the party.
The race was particularly important for Republicans, with Pennsylvania viewed as one of the most crucial swing states. McCormick’s win, officially called by the Associated Press, is seen as a significant gain for the GOP, which is poised to maintain its slim majority in the House of Representatives.
However, despite the Associated Press declaring McCormick the victor, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has reportedly declined to extend an orientation invitation to the Senator-Elect, citing the ongoing vote count. This decision has raised eyebrows, as it breaks with the tradition of inviting confirmed race winners to participate in Senate preparations following an AP call.
Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announced Wednesday that the unofficial results showing a narrow race have led to a recount. Schmidt noted in his announcement that counties must begin the recount no later than Nov. 20 and that they must complete the process by noon Nov. 26. The results will not be published until Nov. 27.
