Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey conceded his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick on Thursday, giving the GOP a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate next year.
The Associated Press projected McCormick as the winner of the tight race on Nov. 7, but Casey refused to concede for over two weeks, following a slow ballot-counting process marked by lawsuits and accusations of law violations.
The slim margins triggered an automatic recount, with results expected next week, but Casey’s surprise concession interrupted the process. McCormick will now be sworn in as Pennsylvania’s junior senator in January.
