Republican Senate candidate David McCormick won the Pennsylvania Senate race ousting incumbent Senator Bob Casey in a surprise upset after trailing him for months.
Its a sign of Donald Trumps influence in the battleground state that gave the now President-elect a major win on Election Night propelling him back to the White House.
Republicans looked to pick up the seat in the crucial swing state as they move to expand their new Senate majority.
McCormicks race against the three-term incumbent was one of the most expensive in the country.
Earlier Thursday, McCormicks campaign said that they anticipated a victory despite the razor-thin difference in votes cast for the candidates.
Republican Senate candidate David McCormick at his election night party
The race had remained too close to call but his campaign put out a statement saying when it is all said and done, McCormick would be the next senator of the Keystone State.
However, Caseys campaign pointed out that the race is within half a point, which triggers an automatic recount in the state as tens of thousands of votes remain to be counted.
It looks like were headed in a very good direction, McCormick said to cheers at his watch party as the votes were coming in Tuesday night.
Casey has represented Pennsylvania since 2007 with deep ties to the state he represents. His dad was once governor there.
He ran as a candidate who would protect access to abortion rights, health care, Social Security and Medicare while slamming his opponent as a wealthy out of stater who will give tax cuts to billionaires.
Republican David McCormick first ran for Senate in Pennsylvania in 2022, but he lost the primary to Dr. Mehmet Oz, who had the support of Donald Trump.
He went on to run again and won the primary. He and Trump set aside differences and became allies on the campaign trail in the state.
The businessman previously served as CEO of Bridgewater Associates, one of the worlds largest hedge funds as well as in the Bush administration.
Senate Candidate David McCormick on election night with his wife Dina Powell
Republican Senate candidate Davide McCormick with former Gov. Nikki Haley on October 30
While he was born in Pennsylvania and raised near Pittsburgh, he faced criticism on the campaign trail for running in the Keystone State while living in Connecticut.
He has a residence in Connecticut, which he lived at up until around the time he started running for political office but also owns a home in Pittsburgh.
McCormick ran as a job creator and close ally of Israel while criticizing his opponent of not strongly condemning anti-Israel protesters as well as trying to tie him to President Biden.
Senator Bob Casey speaking at a campaign rally on October 28 in Philadelphia
Casey supporters hug as they leave his election night watch party in Scranton, PA before the race is called
While the Pennsylvania presidential race has remained razor-thin, Casey managed to maintain a small lead over McCormick throughout the election season in the polls.
He also had the backing of some major supporters including President Obama coming out the campaign for him in the state.