Congresswoman Susan Wild, a Democrat who has been at the top of Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District since 2019, has conceded her bid for re-election to Republican challenger, State Representative for Pennsylvania’s 187th District, Ryan Mackenzie.

“There is no sugar-coating it: This is a bitterly disappointing outcome,” Wild wrote in a concession statement shared with NBC10 on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. “I’m going to talk in a moment about how our fight — for reproductive rights, for affordable health care, for equality, for a clean and safe planet – can and must continue. But first, it is of the utmost importance that I first say what should be clear: I lost this election and my opponent won. I congratulate my opponent on winning this seat and I will do everything I can to ensure a smooth transition, because the people of this district deserve nothing less.”

Wild lost a close election, receiving about 195,004 votes around 9 a.m. Wednesday, compared to challenger Mackenzie’s 200,544 votes.

“This is how American democracy works. This is how we move forward. And it is absolutely crucial that candidates, in both victories and defeats, adhere to this principle. You can’t just recognize the results of elections you win, no matter how much you want to do so. do not agree with them,” she wrote, calling for a smooth exchange of power in a statement. “When it comes to serving our community, we are stronger when we find common ground.”

In her statement, Wild said she was proud of her team and the work they have done over the past six years — she was elected to Pa.’s 15th District in 2018.

Wild did well in some of the counties she represented, winning with voters in Northampton and Lehigh counties, according to NBC News results from Tuesday’s election. But significant deficits in Monroe and Carbon counties led to her election loss.

Overall, Wild said in her concession that her time in office and the work she had done for her constituents was “the greatest privilege of my life.”

“Ultimately, that is what this job is about: serving the people of the Greater Lehigh Valley. And it has been the greatest privilege of my life to be able to do that,” Wild wrote in her concession statement.

Wild also noted that even though she lost, she planned to make herself available to help Mackenzie in his new role.

“I understand the very real fear that many of those who supported me are likely feeling as we wonder what’s next for our community and our country. To everyone who has worked tirelessly to keep this seat in Democratic hands, know this: I will continue to use my vote to fight for the causes that led me to run in the first place. Women’s rights, workers’ rights, affordable health care and democracy itself are all issues that require constant commitment from all of us to become united. better country,” Wild wrote. “I will be available to assist Ryan Mackenzie as he prepares to represent this beautiful, complex district. I encourage him to take to heart the advice given to him by those before me : that no matter who is in the White House, it is their job to deliver results for this community.”