In a dramatic post-election twist, Democratic Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania has refused to concede after losing his seat to Republican Senator-elect Dave McCormick. Despite the Associated Press calling the race and a lead of over 36,000 votes for McCormick, Casey is holding his ground, asserting that “plenty of votes remain uncounted.”
The decision has sparked a political and legal battle, illustrating the rising tensions within the Democratic Party as they grapple with another key loss in a battleground state.
Casey’s refusal to acknowledge defeat came shortly after the Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Thursday afternoon. The AP reported that while an estimated 91,000 votes were still outstanding, the majority were from Republican strongholds, making a Casey comeback mathematically improbable.
Nonetheless, Casey took to X (formerly Twitter) to make his case, writing:
“I have dedicated my life to making sure Pennsylvanians’ voices are heard, whether on the floor of the Senate or in a free and fair election. It has been made clear there are more than 100,000 votes still to be counted. Pennsylvania is where our democratic process was born.”
Despite Casey’s insistence, the numbers paint a bleak picture for his campaign. McCormick maintained a lead of more than 30,000 votes when the race was called, and most of the remaining ballots were from Cambria County, a Republican stronghold where McCormick outperformed Casey by over 40 points.
The Associated Press factored in these uncounted votes before declaring McCormick the winner. “Though there were an estimated 91,000 votes still outstanding, there were not enough in areas supporting Casey for him to make up the difference,” the AP noted.
Rather than conceding, Casey has reportedly launched a legal challenge. According to conservative commentator Jack Posobiec, Casey’s team has deployed “teams of lawyers” in an effort to overturn McCormick’s victory.
This legal maneuvering has raised eyebrows and fueled accusations of hypocrisy. Critics argue that Casey’s actions contradict the Democratic Party’s professed commitment to respecting democratic outcomes, particularly after years of criticizing Republicans for challenging election results.
“Funny how the defenders of ‘democracy’ behave when they do not like its results,” Posobiec quipped on social media.
Casey’s refusal to concede is emblematic of a larger struggle within the Democratic Party as it faces mounting challenges in retaining key seats. His loss represents a significant shift in Pennsylvania, a state that has often served as a bellwether in national elections.
For Republicans, McCormick’s win is a clear mandate. His campaign focused on economic recovery, energy independence, and securing the U.S.-Mexico border—issues that resonated with Pennsylvania voters, particularly in rural and suburban areas.
However, Casey’s refusal to step aside suggests that Democrats may not go quietly. Legal challenges and recounts could delay the official transition, creating uncertainty and deepening partisan divides.
The public response to Casey’s stance has been mixed. Supporters argue that every vote should be counted to ensure a fair election outcome. Meanwhile, critics accuse him of stalling and undermining trust in the electoral process.
“I’m not surprised. The Democrats always preach democracy until they lose,” one Republican voter commented.
On the other hand, a Casey supporter remarked, “It’s not over until every ballot is accounted for. That’s democracy.”
The legal wrangling over Pennsylvania’s Senate seat could drag on for weeks, depending on the trajectory of Casey’s challenge. However, experts say the odds are stacked against him.
“Even if every uncounted vote went his way, it’s almost impossible for him to close the gap,” one political analyst noted.
.@JackPosobiec: “Marc Elias has deployed teams of lawyers throughout Pennsylvania … They’re trying to subvert David McCormick’s victory.” pic.twitter.com/NBwFmP8ggO
— Human Events (@HumanEvents) November 8, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump won Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes. As of Friday, according to the Associated Press, Trump’s margin of victory over Vice President Kamala Harris stood at 142,000 votes.
Thus, McCormick’s victory should come as no surprise.
Moreover, no one has raised allegations of fraud.
Casey, therefore, would do well to follow his own advice.
In 2020, the senator insisted that then-President Trump should “take the first step” of “concession” to President-elect Joe Biden.
Of course, there’s plenty of evidence that deep-state actors rigged the 2020 election against Trump, who never formally conceded — nor should he have.
As far as anyone knows, those dishonest machinations have not occurred in the 2024 Pennsylvania Senate race. Why, therefore, does Casey need “teams of lawyers”?
In short, the defeated Democrat should take the first step of concession and congratulate Senator-elect McCormick.
For now, McCormick and his team remain confident. The Senator-elect has already begun preparations to take office, focusing on assembling his staff and outlining his legislative priorities.
Meanwhile, Casey’s challenge will test not only Pennsylvania’s electoral system but also the Democratic Party’s resolve as it navigates a new political landscape.
Regardless of the outcome, this episode serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes and deep divisions in American politics today. Both parties face significant challenges ahead as they prepare for the next battle in an increasingly polarized nation.
