Republican David McCormick is projected to defeat Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) in one of the nation’s preeminent battlegrounds, according to Decision Desk HQ, adding to the party’s margins after it took back control of the upper chamber earlier this week.

Despite the recount being called, it remains an uphill battle for Casey, who still trailed by more than 25,000 votes as of Thursday afternoon. He would need overwhelming success both in ensuring remaining ballots are counted, and that those voters picked him.

Republican Dave McCormick won the U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania, Decision Desk HQ projected on Thursday, beating Democratic incumbent Bob Casey in an important win for Republicans hoping to capture a majority in the chamber.