Democrat Bob Casey concedes the PA Senate race to Dave McCormick, ending the recount

Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania announced Thursday that he has conceded the race to Republican candidate Dave McCormick, ending a protracted automatic recount in the Keystone State more than two weeks after Election Day.

Casey said in a statement that he called McCormick to congratulate him. McCormick’s campaign also independently confirmed the news to Fox News Digital.

“I just called Dave McCormick to congratulate him on his election to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate,” Casey said in the statement. “Once the first ballot count is complete, Pennsylvanians can move forward knowing that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last.”

“This race was one of the closest in our Commonwealth’s history, decided by less than a quarter of a point. I am grateful to the thousands of people who worked to ensure that every eligible vote cast was counted, including election officials in all 67 counties .”

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McCormick believes Pennsylvania voters realize the importance of the 2024 election. (Reuters/Associated Press)

The news comes after McCormick edged out Casey by just 17,000 votes to win the Senate seat, according to the latest unofficial data from the Department of State — putting Casey well within the 0.5% margin of error required by Pennsylvania -law to trigger an automatic recount.

That recount began on Monday and was due to end on November 26.

The Republican Party blasted Democrats this week for Casey’s refusal to concede the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania, targeting the three-term incumbent to move forward with a costly recount effort, despite their assessment that Casey lacked any attainable path to victory.

They have also criticized the cost, noting that the recount will cost taxpayers an estimated $1 million.

In his statement Thursday, Casey praised the Democratic process and voters who turned out in the Keystone State.

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“When a Pennsylvanian takes the time to cast a legal vote, often waiting in long lines and taking time away from their work and family, they deserve to know their vote will count,” Casey said. “It’s democracy.”