BREAKING: Longtime Democrat Senator Finally Concedes To GOP Opponent

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) has finally conceded to Republican challenger Dave McCormick after weeks of holding out and an expensive recount process.

Although the race was called in favor of McCormick by the Associated Press a little over 24 hours after Election Day, followed by another race call from Decision Desk HQ a few days later, Casey refused to concede. The three-term Senator had pushed for the counting of provisional ballots that lacked correct information or could not be verified, a move that was endorsed by election commissioners in Bucks County, which is arguably the most pivotal swing county in the state.

The move earned a rebuke from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of State, both of whom ordered the commissioners to comply with a state Supreme Court ruling. The commissioners had previously stated that they would flagrantly violate the law after the court ruled that ballots with incorrect dates and incorrect ballot information could not be counted.

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“People violate laws anytime they want,” said Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia as she voted Thursday to count ballots where voters did not submit the two legally required signatures on the outside of the ballot. “People violate laws anytime they want,” she continued. “So, for me, if I violate this law it’s because I want a court to pay attention. There’s nothing more important than counting votes.”

On Thursday, Casey finally conceded after weeks of uncertainty and a recount process that cost Pennsylvania taxpayers more than one-million-dollars.

“I just called Dave McCormick to congratulate him on his election to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate. As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last,” Casey said in a video statement Thursday. “This race was one of the closest in our Commonwealth’s history, decided by less than a quarter of a point. I’m grateful to the thousands of people who work to make sure that every eligible vote cast could be counted, including election officials in all 67 counties. 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 that their vote will count.”

He went on to thank Pennsylvania voters for, “granting me the privilege of serving them for 28 consecutive years in public office as Auditor General, State Treasurer, and United States Senator.”

The senator concluded, “Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me for all these years. It’s been the honor of my lifetime.”

With McCormick’s election confirmed, Republicans will control 53 seats in the U.S. Senate after previous pick-ups in West Virginia, Ohio and Montana.

Republican challengers Eric Hovde and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) narrowly lost their respective races in Wisconsin and Michigan, while Kari Lake currently was defeated by Democrat opponent Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) in the Grand Canyon State. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) also managed to win re-election by a razor-thin margin over Republican challenger Sam Brown.

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