Pa. race too close to call
MT. LEBANON, Pa. — A razor’s edge separated Democrat Conor Lamb and Republican Rick Saccone Tuesday night in their closely watched special election in Pennsylvania, where a surprisingly strong bid by first- time candidate Lamb was testing Donald Trump’s sway in a GOP stronghold.
The contest in the Pittsburgharea district has drawn national attention as a bellwether for the midterm elections in November, when the Republican Party’s House and Senate majorities are at risk. Regardless of the outcome in western Pennsylvania, Lamb’s showing in a district Trump won by 20 points in the presidential race is sure to stoke anxiety among Republicans nationwide and renewed enthusiasm among Democrats.
At midnight with all precincts reporting, unofficial results had Lamb leading Saccone by fewer than 600 votes. Several thousand absentee ballots were still being counted as the effort carried into Wednesday, and the final result could well be decided by a recount.
The White House had scrambled to rally voters behind Saccone, who cast himself as the president’s “wingman,” but he struggled at times to connect with the blue- collar coalition that fueled Trump’s victory little more than a year ago.
Saccone was upbeat as he addressed supporters near midnight. “It’s not over yet, we’re going to fight all the way, all the way to the end, we’ll never give up,” he told a crowd in a hall near his home southeast of Pittsburgh.
In a race this close, either candidate’s supporters can ask for a recount. However there are stiff requirements, including requiring three voters in the same precinct who can attest that error or fraud was committed.
Lamb, 33, insisted that the race hinged on local issues.
“This didn’t have much to do with President Trump,” Lamb said after casting his vote.