WASHINGTON — After more than a year of campaign stops and an increasing stream of ads, Pennsylvania voters will have to wait a little longer for the results of the pivotal U.S. Senate race between three-term Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey and Republican former hedge fund CEO David McCormick.
Local election officials continue to tally ballots in the contentious race, which was thought to have been a key to which party would control the Senate, but Republicans had already flipped it earlier in the night.
As of 12:54 a.m., Wednesday, Mr. Casey trailed with 2,834,673 votes to 2,883,337 votes for for Mr. McCormick, according to the Associated Press, a difference of less than one percentage point. The race had not been called as of press time.
Mr. McCormick addressed his supporters shortly before 1 a.m., sounding like a man expecting to win.
Seen as competitive from the outset, the contest sparked hundreds of millions of dollars in outside spending as both major parties hope to control the chamber in 2025, with Democrats aiming to maintain a slim majority. Democrats also faced tough Senate races in at least Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan and Montana.
The economy, abortion, energy, trade and foreign policy have been consistent flashpoints throughout the bitter race.
Mr. Casey has often cited his legislative track record fighting for children, seniors, veterans and Americans with disabilities. Mr. McCormick highlights his extensive business experience, his military background and his “underdog” and “political outsider” status.
Republicans have high hopes that Mr. McCormick can oust one of Pennsylvania’s best-known politicians in Mr. Casey, the son of a governor and a former state treasurer and auditor general.
In a barrage of ads and two October debates, Mr. Casey hammered at Mr. McCormick’s former firm, Bridgewater Associates, saying it boosted investments in China, including Chinese oil companies and weapons manufacturers tied to Iran, on Mr. McCormick’s watch.
Mr. McCormick, who said he would continue the Trump tax cuts while also supporting cuts for the middle class and other pro-family benefits, described the senator as weak, liberal, and “anti-business and anti-success.”
A former George W. Bush administration official who narrowly lost a 2022 GOP Senate primary to celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz, Mr. McCormick has said the commonwealth and country are “in trouble.” And he blames Mr. Casey and the Biden-Harris administration for “stupid” policies on energy, a border policy that’s helped spark an influx of violent criminals and fentanyl, and economic plans that have driven inflation and will amount to bogus price controls if Mr. Casey and Vice President Kamala Harris are elected.
Like Dr. Oz, Mr. McCormick, 59, has consistently been dogged by questions over his residency and claims he was out of touch with Pennsylvania voters. He often countered that he was born in Washington County, grew up in Bloomsburg, helped create 1,000 jobs in Pittsburgh after serving in the military, and “spent the majority of my life in Pennsylvania.” He currently owns a home in Squirrel Hill.
The Scranton-born Mr. Casey, 64, has served in the Senate since 2007. He won his seat by defeating incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Santorum.
First Published: November 6, 2024, 6:15 a.m.
Updated: November 6, 2024, 6:21 p.m.
