Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) pointed to unvoted votes in the state, even though the race has already been announced, and incoming Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick. will not be allowed to attend next week's Senate orientation.
Two sources confirmed to Fox News Digital that McCormick was not invited to the orientation, even though the Associated Press predicted he would win the Pennsylvania Senate race.
“More than 100,000 ballots have yet to be counted in Pennsylvania, and the race has not yet been decided,” Schumer's spokesperson said in a statement to FOX News Digital. As is customary, we will invite the winners once the votes have been counted. ”
McCormick's campaign declined to comment to Fox News Digital.
Several Republican senators on Sunday criticized Mr. Schumer for not inviting Mr. McCormick.
“@AP declared @DaveMcCormickPA the winner of #PASen 3 days ago. Denying the legitimate election results and preventing @DaveMcCormickPA from participating in Senate orientation this week is outrageous. It hurts the PA and the country. Casey must concede. He has no way of overturning these results,” wrote National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Steve Daines (R-Mont.). Ta.
Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., who is also running for Republican leadership this week, said, “Dave McCormick is Pennsylvania's new senator. The idea of not allowing Mr. Schumer to participate in Senate orientation is “This is simply unacceptable. Pennsylvania voters have spoken. We look forward to hearing Dave's powerful voice before the Senate Republican Conference.”
“Mr. Schumer and Senate Democrats are denying the election results on #PASen. Attempting to block @DaveMcCormickPA from attending Senate orientation this week is outrageous. Mr. Casey must concede immediately. Otherwise, Senate Democrats will face consequences,” said Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).
The Pennsylvania Senate election was called by the Associated Press on November 7, two days after Election Day. McCormick currently leads his incumbent opponent in the state by more than 30,000 votes.
Casey's campaign did not immediately comment to Fox News Digital regarding McCormick's non-invitation to orientation.
On Saturday, a spokesperson for Mr. Casey said in a statement that “counties across the commonwealth are confirming that every day there are more ballots that need to be counted.” We know there are more than 100,000 uncounted ballots, including tens of thousands of provisional ballots in counties that favor Sen. Casey, and the McCormick campaign is filing a lawsuit to get those provisional ballots cast. Although unsuccessful, he acknowledged that these provisional ballots could potentially influence the outcome of the election. Outside. Pennsylvanians deserve to have their voices heard, and as state officials have made clear, counties across Pennsylvania need more time to count their remaining votes. ”
“Throughout the day, the Department of State has been in contact with counties that continue to conduct secure elections in which all voters are counted. We estimate there are at least 100,000 votes left to be adjudicated, including overseas votes and Election Day votes. We ask for your patience as election officials continue this important work, especially in close races. I strongly urge you.”
But critics have questioned Mr. Casey's ability to make up the difference with the current number of outstanding votes.
Pennsylvania Republican strategist Mark Harris claimed on Saturday“There simply aren't any votes available to Mr. Casey,” he said, citing the Republican Party's record on the types of votes still being counted.
Schumer's office told Fox News Digital that Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., was also not invited to the orientation. The Arizona Senate race is still underway, but The Associated Press has not yet called.
A spokesperson for the majority leader also noted that Sen. Al Franken did not attend the 2008 orientation due to the closeness of the election. But Franken won by just a few hundred votes, and McCormick has a lead of tens of thousands of votes.
Remarkably, on Sunday even members of Mr. Schumer's caucus called Mr. McCormick the next senator. “While we are losing a good man and colleague in Sen. Bob Casey, I believe the Senate will gain a good new man and colleague in Sen.-elect David McCormick,” said outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin, R-I.V. ) wrote. Posted in Virginia, X.
Manchin has been known to occasionally oppose the Democratic caucus during his time in office.
