Washington (CNN) The White House is trying to distance itself from a poor showing by the Republican candidate in the Pennsylvania's special election Tuesday night.

President Donald Trump campaigned for state Rep. Rick Saccone in a weekend rally outside of Pittsburgh and the GOP spent millions on the race to prevent an embarrassing defeat in a district Trump won handily.

But it wasn't enough: Saccone is trailing Democrat Conor Lamb with 100% of Election Day and absentee votes counted. Lamb has claimed victory but Saccone has said he will fight on.

The White House sought to highlight on Wednesday Lamb's support for Trump's policies.

"The Democrat in the race really embraced the President's policies and position, where he didn't embrace Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic leader," White House spokesman Raj Shah told reporters aboard Air Force One.

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