Campaign

New York Times calls Pa. House race for Dem Conor Lamb

The New York Times has called the Pennsylvania House special election in favor of candidate Conor Lamb, saying the Democrat’s lead “appears insurmountable.”

Lamb had declared victory in the race to fill the seat in the Pennsylvania district early Wednesday morning, but most media outlets have yet to call the tight race.

Lamb currently holds a lead of fewer than 700 votes over Republican Rick Saccone in the traditionally red district, with all precincts reporting.

Saccone has thus far declined to concede the race, and the GOP says they may seek a recount. Shortly before midnight, Saccone told reporters “it’s not over yet.”  

{mosads}Lamb declared victory at his election night party on Tuesday, where he thanked supporters after being introduced as the “congressman-elect.” 

President Trump had won the district by more than 20 points in 2016, and the seat had been in GOP hands for years.

Trump himself held a rally for Saccone in the district last week, where he touted his administration’s policies, including newly unveiled steel and aluminum tariffs aimed at bolstering the manufacturing industry. 

Republican-allied groups poured more than $10 million into Saccone’s campaign to fend off Lamb, who easily beat him in fundraising

Former GOP Rep. Tim Murphy triggered the special election when he resigned in October amid public outrage over reports that he pressured a woman to get an abortion, despite his official stance against the practice.