Democrats are poised to reclaim control of the Pennsylvania House as McKeesport police officer Dan Goughnour rolled to a commanding victory Tuesday night in a special election to fill a vacancy in the chamber.
The chamber has been gridlocked, with 101 Democrats and 101 Republicans, since the January death of state Rep. Matt Gergely, D-McKeesport.
Goughnour faced White Oak Republican Chuck Davis and White Oak Libertarian Adam Kitta in the race to fill the vacant 35th District seat in Harrisburg.
With about 99% of precincts reporting results from Tuesday’s in-person voting and most write-in votes tallied, Goughnour had collected 63.4% of the votes counted compared to 35% for Davis and 1.6% for Kitta, according to unofficial results.
About 10,700 votes had been counted, placing voter turnout in the Mon Valley district at about 25%, county results showed.
“I’m humbled and grateful that (Mon Valley voters) have put (their) trust in me to serve the 35th District and carry on Matt Gergely’s legacy of service to this community,” Goughnour said in a Facebook post after declaring victory.
“I look forward to delivering real results for the Mon Valley,” he added.
Democrats hold a significant voter registration edge in the 35th District, with nearly 61% of all registered voters. The district includes McKeesport, White Oak, Clairton, Duquesne, Homestead, Liberty, Lincoln, Munhall, Port Vue, Versailles, West Homestead, Whitaker, South Versailles and part of West Mifflin.
Goughnour has served as a McKeesport police officer for 16 years and is the department’s captain of detectives. A McKeesport High School graduate, he has served on McKeesport Area School Board for the past three years.
Goughnour has said that, if elected, he would work to increase funding for public safety, boost job training programs, support public schools and reduce the cost of groceries and everyday essentials.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin issued a statement lauding Goughnour’s victory. Martin stumped for Goughnour in McKeesport in February, less than three weeks after becoming national party chairman.
“Rep.-elect Goughnour’s victory not only ensures Pennsylvanians living in the 35th District have a committed representative in the state legislature, it secures the House majority for Pennsylvania Democrats so that they can stand up to Trump’s mayhem in Washington, defend Gov. Josh Shapiro from constitutional amendments to bypass him in the legislature and continue to expand job opportunities, strengthen schools and create safe communities in Pennsylvania,” Martin said in the statement.
