Democrats Keep House Seat, Win Senate Seat in Republican Leaning District

Democrats won both of Tuesday’s special elections in Pennsylvania.

Dan Goughnour won the election for state representative in District 35, located in the Pittsburgh area. The seat was formerly held by Matthew Gergely, who won the seat last November but died in January from medical complications.

Goughnour's win confirms the Democrats continued majority in the state house.

While the House victory was expected, the Senate race in Lancaster county had an unusual turnout.

Democrat James Malone beat out the favored Republican candidate Josh Parsons by roughly 480 votes. The seat has traditionally gone for Republicans. Trump won Lancaster county by almost 16% in November.

Josh Parsons, a county commissioner, is a divisive figure in the local GOP party.

Republicans maintain control of the Senate, though Malone’s victory puts the chamber at a 27/23 split.