Trump secures Pennsylvania after nearly-tied race, adding a crucial 19 electoral votes to his column

Former President Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania, securing its 19 electoral votes and flipping the state after President Joe Biden won it by just over 80,000 votes in 2020. 

Trump is now at 267 electoral votes compared to Vice President Kamala Harris’ 214. That leaves him just four away from the required 270 electoral votes.

Pennsylvania has largely been regarded as the deciding state in the election. Both candidates spent some of the final days of their campaigns trying to motivate their existing base while winning over undecided voters in the state. 

Neither candidate was overtly favored to win the state in most recent polls ahead of Election Day, according to FiveThirtyEight. The polling website’s simulation had the two tied, each with a 50-50 chance of winning with Harris holding a narrow edge over Trump.

The win will add one of the most competitive states in the country to the Trump column. With 94% of votes reported, Trump currently has 51% of the vote in the state, according to the New York Times.

The win also puts the first of the rust belt states that traditionally make up the Democratic “blue wall” into Trump’s column. In 2016, Trump won Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania and defeated Hillary Clinton to win the presidency. President Joe Biden won all three of these states in 2020. 

Pennsylvania is also holding one of the most consequential U.S. Senate races, pitting incumbent Rep. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Republican Dave McCormick against each other for the seat that could decide who has control over the Senate. Currently, McCormick is leading by just over 100,000 votes, according to the New York Times.

Contact executive editor Caitlin McCormack at caitlin.mccormack@richmond.edu.