Edward Pikulski, The Scranton Times via AP Bob Casey Jr. waves to supporters at his victory party last night at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center. Click photo for larger image.

Two-term Auditor General Robert P. Casey Jr., whose failed bid for the governor's mansion hasn't diminished his aspirations for higher office, easily defeated Republican Jean Craige Pepper, an investment adviser from Erie, for the state treasurer's seat.

The current treasurer, Barbara Hafer, is vacating the office, retiring after her second term.

With the apparent win, Casey is parroting Hafer's career path -- like Casey, Hafer also served two terms as auditor general before running for treasurer.

Yesterday's race was one of three state row office races, and was predicted to be the least competitive of the three, as Casey's wide name recognition was expected to carry him over Pepper, who was unknown outside of the state's northwest.

Despite the race-long predictions of an easy Casey victory, both Casey and Pepper reminded anyone who would listen of Casey's unsuccessful bid to win the Democratic gubernatorial primary in 2002, when he was beaten by Gov. Ed Rendell.

Casey was beaten by 12 percentage points despite early polls showing Casey with a 22-point lead over Rendell. He'd also secured the state's top labor endorsement, from the AFL-CIO, as well as his party's endorsement.

Casey, whose late father was governor, has acknowledged he's still interested in the office, but says that interest would not affect his performance as state treasurer.

"I've been pretty candid about my interest in running for governor again," Casey told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette previously. "But most people understand that when you take on the responsibility and honor of being a state treasurer, you have to take your job seriously."

Casey and Pepper finished well ahead of the three third-party candidates: Max Lampenfeld of the Constitution Party, Darryl W. Perry of the Libertarian Party and Paul Teese of the Green Party.