Pennsylvania officials announced Wednesday that the tight margin in the Senate race between Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania and Republican Sen.-elect Dave McCormick triggered an automatic recount under Pennsylvania law.

Fox News projected McCormick as the winner on Nov. 7, and McCormick has since attended orientation for the new senator in Washington. Despite Casey not conceding, Republicans are projected to have a majority in the Senate, with 53 seats to Democrats’ 47.

With 99 percent reporting as of Thursday morning, McCormick had 3,383,676 votes, or 48.91 percent, compared to Casey’s 3,357,191, or 48.52 percent, a difference of 26,485 votes, or 0.39 percentage points .

Once counties finish counting their ballots, they must begin the recount no later than Wednesday, November 20 and RECOUNT must be completed by noon on November 26th.

CASEY CAMPAIGN REFUSES TO FIRE, ACCUSES MCCORMICK OF TRYING TO ‘DEFRANCHISE’ VOTERS WITH LAWSUITS

Pennsylvania officials announced a recount in the Senate race between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey, R, and Republican Dave McCormick, after unofficial results showed the pair separated by less than 0.5 percent, triggering a recount automatic under Pennsylvania law. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images | Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Of the four previous automatic recounts since the passage of Law 97 of 2004, the initial election results have been confirmed. The results of the recount won’t be released until Nov. 27 and are expected to cost taxpayers more than $1 million, election officials said.

McCormick spokeswoman Elizabeth Gregory said the deficit is too big for Casey to overcome.

“Senator-elect McCormick’s record is unbeatable, something the AP made clear in calling the race,” Gregory said in a statement.

“A recount will be a waste of taxpayer time and money, but it is Senator Casey’s prerogative. Senator-elect McCormick knows what it’s like to lose an election, and he’s confident that Senator Casey will eventually come to the right conclusion.”

Sen.-elect Dave McCormick was leading by more than 30,000 votes when the AP called the race Thursday. (Getty Images)

McCormick declared victory Friday in Pittsburgh, thanking Casey and his family for decades of service to the commonwealth.

BOB CASEY REFUSES TO DISCARD PA SENATE BENEFIT AS SCHUMER BATS FOR NEW REPUBLICAN SENATORS MCCORMICK

Casey, a three-term incumbent, accused McCormick of trying to “pimp” voters with processes.

In a video on Tuesday, Casey said the democratic process “will unfold” once all the votes are counted.

“My priority has always been to support the people of Pennsylvania. In our community, nearly 7 million people cast their ballots in a free and fair election. Our county election officials will finish counting those votes, just like in every election. Casey said.

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Senator Bob Casey declined to accept the race. (Getty Images)

Senate Majority Leader Chuck SchumerDN.Y., initially declined to invite McCormick to orientation for the new senator this week, citing thousands of votes yet to be counted.

in the middle pressure from GOP senatorsSchumer agreed Tuesday to invite McCormick, as well as Democratic Sen.-elect Ruben Gallego, whose Arizona race against Republican Kari Lake had not been called until Monday night.

Fox News’ Danielle Wallace and Deirdre Heavey and The Associated Press contributed to this report.