“Republicans on Wednesday struggled to explain their likely loss in the Pennsylvania special election: GOP leaders warned lawmakers that the outcome in the pro-Trump district could spell disaster in the midterms if they don’t respond forcefully, but many lawmakers dismissed the race as an anomaly and seemed to be in denial,” Politico reports.

“Most rank-and-file going in and out of the meeting downplayed the election, suggesting Republican candidate Rick Saccone was weak and Lamb was a “unicorn” who couldn’t be replicated in tight races this fall.”

“The special congressional election in Pennsylvania appears headed to a recount, with Republicans preparing behind the scenes to cry foul after the vote count showed Democrat Conor Lamb leading Republican Rick Saccone by 627 votes,” Politico reports.

“The GOP is considering challenging the accuracy of voting machines in the district, in addition to confusion over the state’s changing congressional map later this year.”

Conor Lamb (D) is the apparent winner over Rick Saccone (R) in Tuesday’s special election in Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District, according to an NBC News projection.

Mike Allen: “Regardless of the ultimate winner, it was a humiliating and sobering night for the GOP. This a district President Trump won by 20 points. The Democratic energy and Republican depression signal a brutal midterm season and the increasingly likely return of Speaker Pelosi.”

Rick Klein: “As Republicans pick up the pieces – and ponder the prospect of spending more money on Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District if Rick Saccone wants a recount – they will know well that there are easily 100 House districts that are likely to be more competitive than Pennsylvania’s special election had any right to be.”

Barring a major tabulation error, Dave Wasserman projects that Conor Lamb (D) has defeated Rick Saccone (R) in Pennsylvania’s 18th congressional district.

Absentee ballots are being counted tonight, but it’s not likely that Saccone can make up his deficit in the remaining ballots. Saccone’s best path at this point is through a recount.

That said, the Associated Press is not yet calling the race.