Pennsylvania Orders Recount In Tight GOP Senate Primary Between Oz And McCormick

[Valin]

Forbes

Zachary Snowdon Smith

May 25 2022

Topline

Pennsylvania election officials on Wednesday ordered a recount in the state’s Republican Senate primary, after an initial count found Trump-backed candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz led hedge fund CEO David McCormick by 902 votes, or about 0.07% of the overall vote.

The initial count found that Oz had 31.21% of the vote, McCormick had 31.14% and hard-right insurgent candidate Kathy Barnette had 24.66%, while other candidates collectively received 12.97% of the vote, the Pennsylvania Department of State said.

A recount is automatic in Pennsylvania if the winning candidate’s vote total falls within one-half of a percentage point of the second-place finisher’s, the department said.

Counties need to complete the recounting process by no later than June 7 and submit results to the Secretary of State’s office by noon the following day, and can begin re-tallying votes as soon as Friday and no later than June 1.

The recount is expected to cost taxpayers over $1 million, according to the department.

(Snip)