Pennsylvania GOP Senate primary between Oz and McCormick heads to recount

The Pennsylvania GOP primary race between Dr. Mehmet Oz and former hedge-funder David McCormick will head to a recount, following an announcement Wednesday from the state's top election official that the margin between the two candidates was slim enough to trigger one.

Acting Secretary of State Leigh Chapman said she would "order a statutorily required statewide recount in the May 17 Republican primary race for a U.S. Senate seat. Mehmet C. Oz and David H. McCormick, the first- and second-place finishers respectively, have vote totals within the one-half of one percent margin that triggers a mandatory recount under state law."

The race will now extend into next month, as counties are given until June 7 to recount ballots and transmit information to the secretary of state's office by June 8. 

Former TV-doctor Oz has the backing of former President Trump, though the support was not enough to outright push him over the finish line in last week's primary. 

The winner of the contest will face Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman in the fall, in a race that the GOP considers critical in its effort to regain control of the Senate.