Bob Casey Concedes Pennsylvania Senate Race to Dave McCormick

Democratic Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania has conceded the highly contested Senate race to Republican challenger Dave McCormick. In an official statement, Casey recognized the trust Pennsylvanians had placed in him throughout his tenure, saying, «During my time in office, I have been guided by an inscription on the Finance Building in Harrisburg: ‘All public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor.’ Thank you for your trust in me for all these years, Pennsylvania. It has been the honor of my lifetime.»

McCormick’s victory marks a significant upset for Casey, who was a three-term incumbent. The Pennsylvania Senate race had emerged as a crucial battleground, with Republicans and Democrats pouring substantial resources into the state. Casey had maintained a lead in most polls for a considerable portion of the campaign. However, his lead diminished in the final months as McCormick, a former hedge fund executive, closed the gap.

Throughout the campaign, McCormick frequently appeared alongside former President Donald Trump, participating in numerous rallies across the state. Despite losing Trump’s endorsement during the primary two years prior, McCormick’s alignment with Trump’s policies resonated with voters, particularly on the issue of immigration, which was central to the Republican strategy in 2024. The GOP spent heavily on attack ads against Casey, criticizing his connections to the Biden administration’s policies on border control.

McCormick also adopted an anti-incumbency stance, portraying Casey as «too weak» and urging voters to «make a change.» His campaign highlighted his background as a West Point graduate and former CEO of Bridgewater Associates.

The win for McCormick signifies a rare political circumstance where Pennsylvania now has senators from two different parties. Democratic Senator John Fetterman remains in office, having defeated Mehmet Oz in 2022. According to CNN, McCormick’s wife, Dina Powell, who served as a national security adviser under Trump, was also actively involved in the campaign, bringing additional political experience to the team.

In an interesting turn of events earlier this year, McCormick was nearly present at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which was the site of an assassination attempt on the former president. Just minutes before the incident, Trump had advised McCormick to remain seated, potentially averting his presence during the attack.

For the next four years, Pennsylvania joins the limited ranks of states with a bipartisan Senate representation, setting the stage for dynamic political developments in the state.