PHILADELPHIA — Republican David McCormick ended his primary campaign against GOP rival Mehmet Oz on Friday night, conceding a closely contested race as a recount showed no signs of shifting the outcome in McCormick’s favor.
McCormick, speaking to supporters in Pittsburgh, said he called Oz to congratulate him and would support his onetime rival in the general election against the Democratic nominee, Lt. Gov John Fetterman.
“It’s now clear to me, with the recount largely complete, that we have a nominee,” McCormick said.
Oz, the celebrity surgeon known as “Dr. Oz,” will now move forward as the Republican nominee in one of the country’s most critical Senate races, after winning former President Donald Trump’s endorsement in a highly competitive primary.
McCormick’s decision Friday ends more than two weeks of intrigue since the May 17 primary ended with the contest too close to call, leading to a formal recount that is due to officially conclude next week. Oz led by fewer than 1,000 votes after the initial count, out of more than 1.3 million cast, and while the margin remains small, the recount has done little to change the overall picture.
Now, Oz can move forward as the Republican nominee at a time when Fetterman is still sidelined after a stroke and unable to say when he’ll be back on the campaign trail.
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