Conor Lamb Rejects Idea Election Was Referendum on Trump

Democrat Conor Lamb, who has claimed victory in Tuesday's special election for Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District race, on Wednesday rejected the idea that his votes should reflect a referendum on President Donald Trump.

"There are plenty of people here who are still pretty supportive of him," Lamb told CNN's "New Day" host Alisyn Camerota, while noting that Trump remains a "popular person" in his district.

"Everyone gave me a fair shake. And I know that there were people that voted for the president who also voted for me," Lamb said.

With 100 percent of Tuesday's vote counted, Lamb is slightly ahead of Republican opponent Rick Saccone. However, absentee and provisional ballots have not yet been counted, and Saccone has not conceded the race.

Meanwhile, Lamb said there was a "lot of really cartoonish campaigning," even before President Donald Trump visited last weekend and labeled him during a speech as "Lamb the sham."

"I think by the time of the president's visit last weekend, people were kind of tired of that entire approach," Lamb said.

Meanwhile, Lamb and Saccone may end up back on the ballot again because the state's congressional district maps have been redrawn through the state's Supreme Court.

However, Lamb on Wednesday said he does not plan to hit the campaign trail immediately once the special election concludes.

"I plan to spend the rest of this year fully representing the people of this district, fulfilling the promise that I made. We'll let the rest of it shake out," he said.

Meanwhile, Lamb has called for new leadership at the tops of both parties in the House, including with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

"I'd like to see someone besides Nancy Pelosi run and that's who I would support," he told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program. "I definitely would like to see a different leader than Paul Ryan on the other side."

Lamb said he has nothing personal against Pelosi, but he thinks the leadership has presided over a time where there has been more and more gridlock, and "fewer important things getting done."

"I always learned that responsibility starts at the top so, I think we need to sweep some new people in there," he said.

• Poll: Lamb Leads Saccone by 6 Points in Pa. Race
• Lamb Declares Himself Winner