State and federal officeholders expected to retain seats in general election | News, Sports, Vacancies

SUPPLIED PHOTOS Officials expected to retain their seats: Clockwise from top left: State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Center/Clinton), State Sen. Chris Dash (R-Jefferson), State Rep. Paul Takacs (D-Center ) and US Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA).

Elected officials at various levels of state and federal government appear to have retained their seats for the next term, based on preliminary election results.

State Reps. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Union) and Paul Takacs (D-Center) are expected to retain their seats in the House for two more years. In another state race, Sen. Chris Dash (R-Jefferson) is hoping to retain his seat in the 25th District, which includes Clinton and Center counties.

At the federal level, Republican incumbent Glenn “GT” Thompson is expected to retain his seat in the U.S. Congress, according to preliminary results.

The Express provided the following breakdown of preliminary polling results for each race:

STATE REPRESENTATIVES

76th district

Incumbent state Representative Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton/Union) will retain her seat for two more years, according to preliminary results from Tuesday’s general election.

In Clinton County, Borowicz led her Democratic opponent Denise Maris by 12,843 votes, according to preliminary results from the Clinton County Board of Elections. Of that number, 10,552 were filed in person and 2,291 were filed by mail.

According to preliminary results, Maris received 5,380 votes, of which 3,551 were cast in person and another 1,829 were cast by mail.

Similar results were seen on the ballot in parts of Union County, which is part of the 76th District. The district includes the following municipalities: Buffalo Township, Hartleton, Hartley Township, Kelly Township, Lewis Township, Lewisburg, Limestone Township, Mifflinburg, New Berlin and West Buffalo Township.

According to preliminary results from the Union County Board of Elections, Borowicz received 2,233 votes to Maris’ 1,101.

82nd district

In a much closer race than he won in 2022, Democratic incumbent Rep. Paul Takacs of Pennsylvania’s 82nd State Legislative District narrowly defeated Republican challenger Teresa Hollen to win a second two-year term.

With fewer than a thousand votes, Takacs, like many Democrats on the ballot, received weaker support than expected based on early election results. In 2022, Takacs won the 82nd District, covering much of northern and eastern Center County, with 56.2% of the vote. On Monday night, his lead had been cut to 51.7%.

“While the outcome of our presidential election and the decisions of judges across the state are certain, several races still hang in the balance, including mine. Some organizations and publications have called the race in my favor, but we are still giving the Central District Board of Elections the critical time it needs to process all mail-in ballots before making any final decision,” said Rep. Takacs . “We will share additional official information as it becomes available, but for now we remain patient and trust our officials and the process.”

Center County saw a noticeable decline in voter turnout this year compared to previous presidential election years, with turnout only 60.9% compared to 69.67% in 2020, which likely contributed to Takacs’ narrow margin of victory.

Although Takács decided not to declare victory, he expressed gratitude to everyone who participated in the electoral process. “I want to thank our Central District Commissioners, staff and every person who dedicated countless hours both inside and outside the polls to ensure that we had a free and fair election and that every person’s vote was counted and counted. the voice was heard. Their diligence and dedication to the democratic process is greatly appreciated,” he said.

The 82nd District includes the Pennsylvania State University campus, about half of the State College area and nearby colleges, Harris and Benner townships. It also includes the communities of Unionville, Snow Shoe, Pine Glen, Milesburg, Howard and Blanchard.

Preliminary results show Takacs performed particularly well in State College, as well as Harris and College Townships. Hollen appears to have performed best in communities around Milesburg, Benner Township and rural areas of Howard, Liberty and Marion townships.

While the counting of mail-in ballots in Center County has been completed, officials say technical issues are preventing them from being posted on the report form at this time.

Software problems with the state’s mail-in ballot scanning have required 13,000 mail-in ballots to be re-scanned, Center County government officials said.

Central District election officials began scanning those ballots on the morning of November 6th. The county will continue to rescan these ballots until complete. The re-scan will take place at the Willowbank Building in Bellefonte.

Observers from both major parties will be present in the room throughout the re-scanning process, even before it begins. Rescanning ballots will not affect the election results.

STATE SENATE

25th district

Sen. Chris Dash (R-Jefferson) will retain his seat for another four years as the 25th District representative after receiving more votes than incumbent Democrat William “Bill” McGill, according to early results. The 25th District consists of Cameron, Center, Clinton, Elk, Jefferson, McKean and Potter counties.

According to preliminary results, Shower received 82,625 votes in all seven counties, while McGill received 37,272 votes.

US CONGRESS

15th district

Incumbent Republican Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson is expected to retain his seat in the 15th District of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The 15th District includes Armstrong, Cameron, Center, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Indiana, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union, Venango and Warren counties.

Thompson received 272,368 votes in Tuesday’s general election, according to preliminary results. His Democratic opponent, Zach Womer, received 101,356 votes, according to preliminary results.