Republicans Pad Majority In Pennsylvania Senate With Victory
HARRISBURG (AP) - A Republican is claiming victory in a Pittsburgh-area state Senate election, giving the party its largest Senate majority in more than 60 years.
Guy Reschenthaler defeated Democrat Heather Arnet in Tuesday's special election to replace former Sen. Matt Smith in the 37th Senate District.
Reschenthaler served with the Navy in Iraq and is a district justice in suburban Pittsburgh. He'll be sworn in when the election results are certified by state elections officials and will serve out the final year of Smith's term.
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Smith resigned in June to take a job with the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.
The victory gives Republicans a 31-19 majority in the Senate.
The district includes the Allegheny County suburbs on three sides of Pittsburgh and a sliver of Washington County.
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