Karen Shuey: Primary 2022: Berks begins recount in GOP Senate race

Jun. 1—Berks County election workers have begun the process of reviewing ballots cast in Pennsylvania's Republican primary for the U.S. Senate race between celebrity heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund CEO David McCormick.

With fewer than 1,000 votes separating the two leading candidates in the statewide contest, the state's top election officer last week ordered all 67 counties to begin a recount of the more than 1.3 million votes in the race to determine the winner.

Stephanie Weaver, public relations officer for the county, said the state-mandated recount of votes in the too-close-to-call Republican primary began around 9 a.m. Wednesday. She expected it to be completed by Friday, if not sooner.

Election officials began the recount with Republican mailed ballots, and once finished with them will move on to votes cast at the county's 202 voting precincts.

In Berks, unofficial results show conservative commentator Kathy Barnette leads both Oz and McCormick. She received 13,338 votes while Oz is in second place with 12,638 votes and McCormick is third with 11,381 votes.

The rest of the field — Jeff Bartos, Carla Sands, Sean Gale and George Bochetto — received a combined 4,675 votes.

Weaver said the elections office has been preparing for the statutorily required statewide recount ordered by acting Secretary of State Leigh Chapman for the past several days.

Counties could have started their recount as early as May 27 but no later than Wednesday. The recount must be completed by Tuesday, and counties must submit the recount results to the Department of State the following day.