W. Pa. Sends New Faces To Congress, Harrisburg

Pennsylvania once again was key to delivering a victory -- this time to the Republicans.

Republicans picked up five seats in the U.S. House from this state, including one from this region.

And in Harrisburg, this area joined others around the Commonwealth in sending a lot of freshmen -- both Democrats and Republicans -- to the state legislature.

When the 112th Congress convenes in January, local members of Congress will for the most part be no strangers to that body.

Re-elected to the House were incumbents like Democrat Mike Doyle from Forest Hills , Republican Tim Murphy from Upper St. Clair, Democrat Jason Altmire of McCandless and Democrat Mark Critz of Johnstown.

But gone will be Democrat Kathy Dahlkemper of Erie, replaced by Republican Mike Kelly, this region's newest and oldest member of Congress.

Kelly, a 62-year old Butler resident, is a successful car dealer and an original Tea Party organizer in his county.

When it comes to the state legislature, this region is sending lots of newcomers to Harrisburg.

New state senators include:

* Democrat Jim Brewster, Mayor of Mckeesport and former vice president of operations at Mellon Bank

* Democrat Tim Solobay, the Canonsburg fire chief and current Washington County state representative.

The State House will get four new legislators from this region, including:

* Republican Rick Saccone of Elizabeth Township, a former Air Force counter-intelligence agent. Saccone defeated incumbent David Levdansky.

* Democrat Brandon Neuman, an attorney and North Strabane resident who won an open seat.

* Republican Eli Evankovich of Murrysville, a US Steel analyst -- Evankovich defeated incumbent John Pallone.

* Republican George Dunbar, a Penn Township commissioner and controller of Ryco Plumbing. Dunbar defeated incumbent James Casorio.

Now the Republican control of the both chambers of the House should guarantee that Governor-Elect Corbett's agenda will get a favorable reception in Harrisburg.