Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (New York) is targeting Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick because of uncollected votes in the state, even though the race has already been announced. He will not be allowed to participate in 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.
In response to Fox News Digital, a Schumer spokesperson said in a statement: “There are more than 100,000 votes remaining in Pennsylvania and the outcome of the race is undecided. As is our tradition, we will invite the winner after the votes are counted.” said.
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Despite The Associated Press calling the race, Mr. Schumer did not invite Mr. McCormick to his Senate orientation. (Reuters)
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 @DaveMcCormick winner of #pasen 3 days ago. Denying and blocking legitimate election results @DaveMcCormick Not participating in senatorial orientation this week is outrageous and a disservice to the PA and the country. Casey should concede. He has no path to overturn these results,” wrote National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Steve Daines (R-Mont.).
Senate Minority Whip John Thune, RS.D., who is also running for Republican leadership this week, said, “Dave McCormick will be Pennsylvania's new senator. Schumer won't allow him to participate in Senate orientation.'' The idea is completely unacceptable,” he added. Pennsylvania voters said they expect Dave to have a strong voice in the Senate Republican conference. ”
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Mr. McCormick accused Mr. Casey of lying about himself and criticized Democrats for failing to stop cross-border fentanyl trafficking. (Getty Images)
“Mr. Schumer and Senate Democrats are denying the election results. #pasen. trying to block @DaveMcCormick Not attending this week's Senate orientation is outrageous. Mr. Casey must concede immediately or 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.
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On Saturday, a spokesperson for Mr. Casey said in a statement: “Counties across the commonwealth are confirming that every day there are more votes to count. We have received more than 100,000 ballots, including tens of thousands of provisional ballots. We know that many have not yet been counted.” There are many counties voting in Sen. Casey's favor, and while the McCormick campaign has unsuccessfully sued to have these provisional ballots cast, there are concerns that these provisional ballots could influence the outcome of the election. I admit that I have sex. 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 communicated with counties that continued to conduct secure elections in which all eligible votes were counted. We are confident that at least 100,000 votes will be counted. We estimate that there are approximately 50,000 votes remaining.” We urge patience as election workers continue to do this important work, especially in races where the margins are very close, including provisional, military, overseas and Election Day votes. ”
But critics have questioned Mr. Casey's ability to make up the difference with the current number of outstanding votes.
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The race was considered a torso lift. (Getty Images)
Pennsylvania Republican strategist Mark Harris claimed on Saturday“There just aren't enough votes for Mr. Casey to win,” he said, citing the Republican Party's record on the types of ballots 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.
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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 new and good man in Sen.-elect David McCormick,” said outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin (I-West Virginia). State) wrote in a post to X. .
Manchin has been known to occasionally oppose the Democratic caucus during his time in office.
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