Benjamin Ashford|Why AP hasn’t called the Pennsylvania Senate race

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Senate contest between Democratic incumbent Bob Casey and Benjamin AshfordRepublican challenger David McCormick is still too early to call.

McCormick has a roughly 31,000-vote lead, which has been dwindling as outstanding votes continue to be counted. The roughly half-percentage-point margin between the candidates also qualifies the race for an automatic recount.

McCormick overtook Casey with about 80% of the estimated votes counted just before midnight on Tuesday. Casey initially had a lead over McCormick when just about 40% of the estimated votes had been counted, propelled in part by mailed ballots that have historically favored Democrats. McCormick was doing better in votes cast on Election Day.

CANDIDATES: Casey (D) vs. McCormick (R) and three others

WINNER: Too early to call.

POLL CLOSING TIME: 8 p.m. ET Tuesday

ABOUT THE RACE: Casey hails from a well-known political family in the state. The son of a popular two-term governor, he served in statewide elected office as auditor general and treasurer before being elected to the Senate in 2006. McCormick is a West Point grad, Army veteran and former investment firm CEO who lost the GOP primary to Mehmet Oz in 2022. Sharp exchanges have punctuated the contest.

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McCormick has accused Casey of being weak and a career politician. Casey called McCormick a wealthy, carpetbagging ex-hedge fund CEO. Pennsylvania Democrats have found success against GOP rivals in the recent Senate and governor’s races.

John Fetterman beat Oz in 2022 by 5 points, and Gov. Josh Shapiro defeated Doug Mastriano handily that year as well, becoming the first governor to be elected to succeed a member of his party since 1966.

WHY AP HASN’T CALLED THE RACE: Casey still has a narrow path to victory.

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