How Dave McCormick won 2024's closest Senate race -- and how he'll shape the GOP in Washington

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

80% : "Asked about Trump's Cabinet picks, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard, McCormick said he has "generally" thought Trump's choices "have been great," adding that he believes Trump "has a mandate.
58% : Senate candidate Dave McCormick, R-Pa., at a campaign rally for Donald Trump in Scranton, Pa., on Oct. 9.Michael
58% : He also described Trump as "about as strong a Republican candidate as they've had for president in my lifetime.
56% : "When I agree with President Trump, which I do on many things, like the border and the economy and China, then I'll speak loud and clear," he said.
53% : Seeking to bolster his independent bona fides as Election Day neared, Casey released an ad highlighting areas of agreement with Trump on trade and China.
42% : One reason the McCormick team was so quick on the draw was that in Pennsylvania, they saw Biden, a native son with decades of experience in the state, as a more formidable opponent than Harris, even after his disastrous debate against Trump.
39% : McCormick and allies saw other factors that contributed to his win, too, including extensive courting of the state's Jewish community and investments in reaching the same unreliable voters Trump sought, which were highlighted by advertising during football games.
37% : "Democrats did not express optimism that McCormick will deviate from Trump in any significant way early on.
26% : When Republicans, including Trump, were still working through how to run against Harris, McCormick's campaign launched a digital ad just two days after the switch that ended up foreshadowing the playbook Republicans ran against her across the map: highlighting her policy statements in 2019.
16% : The previous GOP senator to represent Pennsylvania, Pat Toomey, voted to convict Trump after his second impeachment trial following the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

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