GOP representatives hold substantial leads in local state House races
Most Republican state House incumbents in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties appeared to hold onto their seats during Tuesday’s election, although some races were too close to call.
While votes were still being counted late into the night, many of the GOP state representatives held substantial leads on their Democratic challengers.
That included state Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa, R-Springhill Township, who appeared to be well on her way to an easy victory over Democrat George Huck Rattay of South Union Township for the 51st state House District that includes southern Fayette County.
In Washington County, state Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Peters, appeared to cruise to an easy victory against Democratic opponent Peter Kohnke of Bethel Park with most votes counted in the 40th District that includes Peters Township and the South Hills in Allegheny County.
State Rep. Jason Ortitay, R-Cecil Township, also appeared to defend his seat against Democratic challenger Alexander Taylor of Canonsburg. Ortitay held a large lead in the Washington County section of his 46th House District, while had a slimmer margin in the portion that includes Allegheny County.
State Rep. Bud Cook of West Pike Run easily beat Democratic candidate Drew Ross Manko of North Bethlehem Township to win his fifth term in office. Cook, whose 50th District includes all of Greene County and the southeastern area of Washington County, won by a 2-to-1 margin in Greene and also held a commanding lead in the Mon Valley area of his district.
State Rep. Josh Kail, R-Brighton, held a 2-to-1 lead in Washington County over Democratic challenger Ashlee Caul, but no election results were available in Beaver County that also includes the 15th House District.
Meanwhile, state Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-Elizabeth Township held only a slim lead over Democrat Angela Girol for South Park for the 39th House District that includes the Mon Valley areas of Washington and Allegheny counties.
State Rep. Tim O’Neal, R-South Strabane, whose district stretches from southwestern Washington County to the Mon Valley, and state Rep. Ryan Warner, R-Perryopolis, who represents northern Fayette County, were unopposed for their seats.
Republican Rep. Guy Reschenthaler won reelection to the 14th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday. Reschenthaler, 41, was running for a fourth term in his Republican-leaning district in Southwestern Pennsylvania, defeating Democrat Chris Dziados of South Strabane. Reschenthaler, a former state lawmaker and U.S. Navy lawyer, was first elected in 2018. The Associated Press declared Reschenthaler the winner at 10:05 p.m.
Unofficial Election Results for State House and Congress
15th State House
R – Josh Kail – 24,614 – 69%
D – Ashlee Caul – 11,074 – 31%
39th State House
R – Andrew Kuzma – 23,602 – 62.2%
D – Angela Girol – 14,368 – 37.8%
40th State House
R – Natalie Mihalek – 24,941 – 60.5%
D – Peter Kohnke – 16,297 – 39.5%
46th State House
R – Jason Ortitay – 22,579 – 62.3%
D – Alexander Taylor – 13,649 – 37.7%
48th State House
R – Tim O’Neal – 23,847 – 100%
D – No candidate
50th State House
R – Bud Cook – Daisytown – 20,283 – 69.2%
D – Drew Ross Manko – 9,016 – 30.8%
51st State House
R – Charity Grimm Krupa – 19,676 – 65.8%
D – George Rattay – 10,226 – 34.2%
52nd State House
R – Ryan Warner – 25,526 – 100%
D – No candidate
Congress
14th Congressional District
R – Guy Reschenthaler – 261,431 – 66.7%
D – Chris Dziados – 133,133 – 33.3%
How We Voted
Presidential Race
Washington County
R – Donald Trump – 75,084 – 62.5%
D – Kamala Harris – 43,979 – 36.6%
Greene County
R – Donald Trump – 12,258 – 71.5%
D – Kamala Harris – 4,554 – 26.6%
Fayette County
R – Donald Trump – 43,076 – 68.7%
D – Kamala Harris – 19,238 – 30.7%
Turn out
Washington County – 80%
Greene County – 76%
Fayette County – 76.5%