Republican Tom Smith took to the stage at his headquarters at the Sheraton in Station Square and immediately thanked his family, his supporters and even Democratic incumbent Bob Casey, who was celebrating his victory across the state in Scranton.
"Now while Senator Casey and I disagree on many things, we both share a love for this country and for this state."
Smith, a democrat turned Tea Party conservative poured at least $16.8 million of his own coal mining fortune into the race. Tuesday night he vowed to fight on.
"The task remains the same: we must repeal Obamacare, we must stop deficit spending, we must end this war on American energy - this war on Pennsylvania coal, and most importantly we must get this economy roaring again!"
Smith described himself as a farm boy who got lost in a coal mine and was thrilled to find himself at his senate campaign headquarters so many years later. He lost a race that was marked by a slew campaign advertising, especially in the final run-up to the election, when the US Chamber of Commerce launched an advertising effort on Smith's behalf. In the final weeks of the campaign, Smith had narrowed what was once a formidable gap, but nonetheless fell short Tuesday night.
