Doyle declares victory with large primary lead; Dickinson concedes Wednesday

U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle beat back a challenge Tuesday from a University of Pittsburgh law professor for a Democratic nomination to seek a 14th term in Washington, according to unofficial election returns.

Doyle, 66, of Forest Hills, declared victory at 10 p.m.

His opponent, Jerry S. Dickinson, 33, of Swissvale, posted a video conceding the election Wednesday morning, congratulating Doyle on his victory in a “hard-fought race.”

It has been an honor to run this campaign and to meet thousands of voters across the district and hear their stories.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Our work is not done. https://t.co/3hkMIWPhTn

— Jerry Dickinson For Congress (@Dickinson2020) June 3, 2020

As of 11:30 a.m., Doyle lead with 68.47% of the vote to 31.53% for Dickinson with 100% of precincts reporting, according to unofficial returns.

“There’s really no communities where we’re losing the vote,” he said, describing his lead as insurmountable.

Doyle, who talked with reporters in a virtual conference, said he had not spoken to Dickinson, but congratulated him for running a “spirited campaign.”

“I have a lot of respect for Jerry and I think he’s a good person,” Doyle said.

Doyle, who is Pennsylvania’s longest serving congressman, said when Congress reconvenes this month he intends to focus on police reform and providing financial aid for people out of work and small businesses that have closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I think you’re going to see Congress, especially the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives, move swiftly on a package of reforms to address some of the inequities we’re seeing in policing and just in general in the black community,” Doyle said. “We need voices in our leadership and in our Congress that are looking for ways to unite all Americans.”

Dickinson, a constitutional law professor, said he believed it was “imperative (to) allow the democratic process to play its course.”

“At numerous polling locations this evening, voters remained in line after the polls closed … At this time, many ballots remain uncounted,” Dickinson added. “We’re committed to making sure every vote is counted and every voice is heard. We’re proud to have run a people-powered race and look forward to seeing the remaining results come in.”

Doyle has represented the 18th Congressional District since 1995. It includes Pittsburgh and neighboring suburbs to the south and east.

He will likely face Republican Luke Edison Negron of Bethel Park in the November primary. Negron was unopposed in Tuesday’s GOP primary.

Allegheny County officials were continuing to count votes late Tuesday, and more votes could be counted over the next week.

Gov. Tom Wolf issued an executive order Monday extending the deadline for Allegheny and five other counties to receive mail-in and absentee ballots by mail. They will be accepted through 5 p.m. June 9, as long as they were postmarked by June 2.