Senior Republican Party officials have announced the filing of 12 lawsuits in Pennsylvania to defend their pickup in the closely watched Keystone State Senate race. The lawsuits are part of an effort to protect Republican candidate Dave McCormick's Senate win over three-term incumbent Democrat Sen. Bob Casey, who has secured a statewide recount and refused to concede defeat.
The lawsuits, filed in four counties across Pennsylvania, aim to prevent the counting of mail-in ballots with incorrect or missing dates, in line with a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling. Republican officials have faced resistance from some county Democrat leaders, particularly in Philadelphia, Bucks County, Center County, and Delaware County.
Republican Party Chair Michael Whatley emphasized the party's commitment to an aggressive legal posture to ensure the election is certified in Pennsylvania. The party has filed a total of 20 court challenges to uphold McCormick's victory and ensure only legal votes are counted.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court had ruled before the election that mail-in ballots lacking required signatures or dates should not be included in official results. However, Democrat officials in several counties have not complied with this order, prompting the litigation.
RNC officials have expressed skepticism about the impact of the ongoing Senate recount, noting that historical data shows minimal changes in vote margins. They have criticized the recount's estimated $1 million cost and raised concerns about eroding voter confidence in the election system.
Republican Party officials have deployed hundreds of attorneys and observers across Pennsylvania to monitor the recount process in every county. They have urged the Casey campaign to end the recount, citing the potential political ramifications and the lack of a mathematical path to change the election outcome.
