STATE COLLEGE (AP) — Keith Rothfus has won the seat in Pennsylvania’s redrawn 12th Congressional District, according to the Associated Press.

The race is one of the most closely watched U.S. House races in the country, and Democratic incumbent Mark Critz faced a stiff challenge from Rothfus, a Republican attorney.

The GOP victory could help solidify the party’s control in the House.

The race was flooded with $9.9 million in spending by outside groups, more than any other House race in the nation.

Critz had been fighting to keep his seat since winning the special election in 2010 after his former boss, longtime Democratic congressman John Murtha, died in office.

The latest challenge came from the GOP’s Rothfus in the newly-drawn 12th Congressional District that tends to vote Republican despite a slim majority of registered Democrats.

There were no early surprises in other Pennsylvania congressional races.

RELATED LINKS:
2012 Election Results
More Political News

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

http://cbspittsburgh.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/mark_critz_100021161.jpg

http://cbspittsburgh.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/keith_rothfus.jpg