Recount Officially Announced for Oz, McCormick Primary Race

Acting Secretary of State Leigh M. Chapman gives notice that she will order a statutorily required statewide recount in the May 17 Republican primary race for a U.S. Senate seat, in Harrisburg, PA on May 25, 2022. (PACast)

By Ashley Adams

May 26, 2022

Dr. Mehmet Oz is ahead of former hedge fund CEO David McCormick by 0.07% points. A recount is triggered when the margin is within 0.5% points.

The margin between the top two Republican candidates for US Senate in last week’s primary election is close enough to trigger a recount, Pennsylvania’s acting secretary of state, Leigh Chapman, said.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, who is endorsed by former President Donald Trump, is ahead of former hedge fund CEO David McCormick by 902 votes, or 0.07% points.

Chapman said under state law, the margin between the candidates must be within 0.5%. A winner will not be declared in the race until a recount is complete.

Counties may begin their recount as early as Friday but must begin no later than June 1. They must complete the recount by noon on June 7, and they must submit the recount results to the Department of State by noon on June 8.

Chapman estimated that counties had about 10,000 provisional and absentee ballots remaining to count, but did not know how many were cast by Republicans.

There are also 860 Republican mail-in ballots without a date on their envelope that are the subject of court cases. McCormick’s campaign has asked the state’s Supreme Court to compel counties to promptly count those ballots. A lower court has ordered a hearing next Tuesday on the matter. Oz, the Republican National Committee, and the state Republican Party oppose McCormick’s request. A separate case that affects those same ballots could go to the US Supreme Court.

Chapman estimates that the recount cost will exceed $1 million of taxpayer funds.

The winner will face Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in November’s general election.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Author

Ashley Adams

In her 16 years in the communications industry, Ashley Adams has worn many hats, including news reporter, public relations writer, marketing specialist, copy editor and technical writer. Ashley grew up in Berks County and has since returned to her roots to raise her three children.

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