Pennsylvania state officials announced Wednesday that an automatic recount under Pennsylvania law has been initiated because the Senate race between Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Republican Sen.-elect Dave McCormick was so close. .
Fox News projected McCormick as the winner on Nov. 7, after which McCormick attended the new senator's orientation in Washington. Although Mr. Casey has not conceded, Republicans are expected to win a Senate majority with 53 seats to Democrats' 47.
With 99% reporting as of Thursday morning, Mr. McCormick received 3,383,676 votes (48.91%) compared to Mr. Casey's 3,357,191 votes (48.52%). The difference was 26,485 votes (0.39 points).
Once counties have counted their ballots, they must begin a recount no later than Wednesday, Nov. 20, and complete the recount by noon on Nov. 26.
Casey campaign refuses to concede, files lawsuit and accuses McCormick of trying to 'disenfranchise' voters
Pennsylvania officials will conduct a recount in the Senate race after unofficial results showed the race between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey (R) and Republican Sen. Dave McCormick was less than 0.5%. announced that an automatic recount would begin under Pennsylvania law. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The election results have been confirmed, the first of four automatic recounts to date since the passing of Law No. 97 of 2004. The results of the recount will not be released until Nov. 27 and are expected to cost taxpayers more than $1 million, election officials said.
McCormick spokeswoman Elizabeth Gregory said the deficit was too large for Casey to overcome.
“Senator-elect McCormick's lead is irreversible, and the Associated Press made it clear in calling the race,” Gregory said in a statement.
“Recounts are a waste of time and taxpayer money, but that's Sen. Casey's prerogative. Sen. McCormick knows what it's like to lose an election, and Sen. Casey is ultimately right. I am confident that we will reach a conclusion.”
Sen. Dave McCormick was leading by more than 30,000 votes when the Associated Press called the race Thursday. (Getty Images)
Mr. McCormick declared victory Friday in Pittsburgh, thanking Mr. Casey and his family for their decades of service to the Commonwealth.
Schumer welcomes Republican McCormick as new senator; Bob Casey refuses to concede in Senate race
Casey, a three-term incumbent, accused McCormick of trying to “disenfranchise” voters with the lawsuit.
Casey said in a video Tuesday that the democratic process “will be carried out” once all votes are counted.
“My priority has always been to stand up for the people of Pennsylvania. Across the commonwealth, nearly 7 million people voted in free and fair elections. So we'll finish counting those votes,''' Casey said.
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Sen. Bob Casey refused to concede in the race. (Getty Images)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York initially refused to invite McCormick to this week's new senator orientation, citing thousands of votes that had yet to be counted.
Under pressure from Republican senators, Mr. Schumer on Tuesday will invite Mr. McCormick as well as Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego, whose Arizona race against Republican Kali Lake did not convene until Monday night. Agreed.
Fox News' Danielle Wallace and Deirdre Heavey and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
