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Pennsylvania Republican Dave McCormick has conceded the state’s primary for U.S. Senate to Dr. Mehmet Oz.
The former hedge fund CEO made the announcement Friday night, acknowledging that the recount currently underway would not produce the necessary votes to hand him the nomination.
“It’s now clear to me with the recount largely complete that we have a nominee,” McCormick told supporters at a campaign party in Pittsburgh. “And today, I called Mehmet Oz to congratulate him on his victory.”
McCormick also encouraged Republicans to unite behind Oz. “It is so important for Pennsylvania, so important that we beat (Democrat) John Fetterman,” he stated.
In response, Oz tweeted a statement: “I received a gracious phone call from David McCormick and am tremendously grateful for his pledge of support in the fall election. We share the goal of a brighter future for Pennsylvania & America.”
Oz added that he would campaign “in every corner of the Commonwealth” to earn the support of all Pennsylvanians in his bid to defeat Fetterman, who is the state’s current lieutenant governor.
McCormick’s concession marks a victory not only for Oz but also for President Donald J. Trump, who endorsed the celebrity heart surgeon in a somewhat controversial move.
Congratulating Oz on his “presumptive” victory last Saturday, the president contended, “He will go on to defeat his Radical Left opponent and be a great Senator for the Commonwealth, and the USA!”