Republican Dave McCormick spectacularly ousts incumbent Democrat Bob Casey in Pennsylvania Senate race

Republican Senate candidate David McCormick won the race for Pennsylvania Senate, ousting incumbent Sen. Bob Casey in a surprise upset after chasing him for months.

It’s a sign of Donald Trump’s influence in the battleground state that gave the now president-elect a big victory on election night and propelled him back to the White House.

The Republicans appeared to gain a seat in the crucial swing state as they seek to expand their new majority in the Senate.

McCormick’s race against the three-term incumbent was one of the most expensive in the country.

Earlier Thursday, McCormick’s campaign said it expected a victory despite the razor-thin difference in votes cast for the candidates.

The race was still too close to call, but his campaign released a statement saying that when all was said and done, McCormick would be the Keystone State’s next senator.

However, Casey’s campaign pointed out that the race is within half a point, triggering an automatic recount in the state as tens of thousands of votes remain to be counted.

“It looks like we’re going in the right direction,” McCormick said, cheering on his watch group as the votes poured in Tuesday evening.

Casey has represented Pennsylvania since 2007 and has close ties to the state he represents. His father was once governor there.

He ran as a candidate who would protect access to abortion rights, health care, Social Security and Medicare, while portraying his opponent as a wealthy outsider who would give tax cuts to billionaires.

Republican David McCormick first ran for Senate in Pennsylvania in 2022, but lost the primary to Dr. Mehmet Oz, who received the support of Donald Trump.

He ran again and won the primaries. He and Trump put aside differences and became allies on the campaign trail in the state.

The businessman was previously CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the largest hedge funds in the world, and also served in the Bush administration.

Senate candidate David McCormick on election night with his wife Dina Powell

Republican Senate candidate Davide McCormick with former Governor Nikki Haley on October 30

While he was born in Pennsylvania and raised near Pittsburgh, he was criticized on the campaign trail for running in the Keystone State while living in Connecticut.

He has a home in Connecticut, where he lived until around the time he ran for political office, but he also has a home in Pittsburgh.

McCormick was a job creator and close ally of Israel, while criticizing his opponent for not strongly condemning anti-Israel protesters and also wanting to tie him to President Biden.

Senator Bob Casey speaks during a campaign rally on October 28 in Philadelphia

Casey supporters embrace as they leave his election night watch party in Scranton, PA before the race is called

While the presidential race in Pennsylvania remained razor thin, Casey managed to maintain a narrow lead over McCormick in the polls during the election season.

He also received the support of some major supporters, including President Obama, who campaigned for him in the state.