John Beale, Post-Gazette

Helen Porter, of New Brighton, embraces state Rep. Mike Veon, D-Beaver, -- the only state lawmaker to vote against revoking last summer's legislative pay raise -- as he arrives for his victory party last night at the Berkshire in Beaver Falls. MORE COVERAGE Pay raise backlash ousts top legislators Primary 2006 Photojournal Primary 2006 Election Journal More election coverage Unofficial election results for Western Pennsylvania races Allegheny County Butler County Westmoreland County Lawrence County Mercer County Beaver County

10TH DISTRICT
LaGrotta apparent loser

Longtime Democratic legislator Frank LaGrotta was defeated last night in a neck-and-neck race that was separated by only a handful of votes.

The Lawrence County representative acknowledged the pay raise issue likely was a major factor in the groundswell of support for his opponent, political newcomer Jaret Gibbons. Both live in Ellwood City.

"That's how things go in politics,'' Mr. LaGrotta said.

A 20-year veteran of the state House, he had voted for the pay raise and had accepted unvouchered expenses of $4,414 but has been paying it back.

Chuck Morse, 55, of Slippery Rock was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

11TH DISTRICT
Incumbent Ellis wins

It was clear sailing to victory yesterday for incumbent Rep. Brian Ellis.

The 36-year-old Butler Township resident easily defeated Gregory S. Walter, 50, of Clearfield, for the GOP nomination.

Bill Neel, 68, of Butler, was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

14TH DISTRICT
Veon renominated

Rep. Mike Veon, facing his toughest primary fight of the last decade, appeared to have beaten challenger Jay Paisley, winning the Democratic nomination.

Mr. Veon, the House minority whip, is seeking a 13th two-year term in Harrisburg. He was the only legislator to vote against the repeal of last year's pay raises, which outraged voters and grass-roots groups.

In the Republican primary, Jim Marshall, 46, a Big Beaver councilman, narrowly defeated Jeff Harris, 43, of New Sewickley, according to unofficial returns.

15TH DISTRICT
Rep. Biancucci wins

Incumbent Rep. Vince Biancucci, D-Aliquippa, defeated two challengers for his party's nomination: retired engineer Roger Strauss, 69, of Center, and Domenic Leone 49, a print shop owner from Hopewell.

Mr. Biancucci, 65, had served as an aide to his predecessor for 17 years before being elected in 2002. He voted against the pay raises for legislators last summer and never took the extra money before the raises were revoked in November.

Todd Hockenberry, 39, of Beaver, was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

20TH DISTRICT
Rep. Walko wins

Despite his unabashed vote for the legislative pay raise, Rep. Don Walko prevailed over three Democratic challengers who split the anti-incumbent vote.

"I never ran away from the issue. I'm a man with four kids and a wife," said the six-term incumbent, 53, of Brighton Heights.

"The real issues facing people are dealing with health care, dealing with their property taxes, and how education is financed," said Mr. Walko, who said he said he worked hard on those issues.

Bill Stalter, 55, of Reserve was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

21ST DISTRICT
Incumbent Pistella out

Attorney Lisa Bennington, 30, of Morningside, toppled 28-year state House veteran Frank Pistella in the City of Pittsburgh's East End and nearby suburbs.

"I said, 'Remember the pay raise,' and [voters] pointed right at their foreheads, and said it's right there," said Ms. Bennington.

Mr. Pistella, 55, of Bloomfield, voted for the pay raise last year, took the money, voted to rescind the raise, and paid it back.

No Republicans filed in the district.<P>

24TH DISTRICT
Too close to call

The Democratic primary pitting Joe Preston, 58, a 23-year state House veteran from East Liberty, against Edward C. Gainey, 36, of Highland Park, and William D. Anderson, 33, of Homewood, was hotly contested to the end.

Mr. Preston and Mr. Gainey were neck-and-neck in unofficial returns.

"We're very optimistic that Joe [Preston] is going to come out on top," said Jessica Walls, of the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

"We're getting a lot of positive vibes from the community that the people are looking for change," said Rick Williams, of Mr. Gainey's campaign. "We believe we're going to win."

Mr. Gainey held the Democratic endorsement. Recorded phone calls from Gov. Ed Rendell boosted Mr. Preston.

No Republicans filed in the district.

25TH DISTRICT
Rep. Markosek wins

Veteran Rep. Joseph Markosek, D-Monroeville, appeared to win a narrow plurality against two Democratic opponents.

Steve O'Donnell, 60, trailed closely and Daniel Mator, 33, was well behind in unofficial returns last night.

Mr. Markosek has represented the district for 24 years and had never faced a primary challenge since his first victory in 1982.

Ed Nicholson, 47, of Monroeville, was unopposed for the GOP nomination.

27TH DISTRICT
Rep. Petrone survives

Incumbent Democrat Tom Petrone, D-Crafton Heights, appeared to win his party's nomination over three challengers who split the anti-incumbent vote.

Mr. Petrone's 26 years in office and his support of last summer's pay raises for legislators were a target during the election.

But Mr. Petrone, 68, seemed to weather the storm by concentrating on his accomplishments over the years.

Bill Ogden, 45, of Crafton, was unopposed for the GOP nomination.

30TH DISTRICT
GOP's Vulakovich leads

Randy Vulakovich, 55, a retired police sergeant from Shaler, led the three-way Republican race in late returns.

Also seeking the GOP nomination were Mike Dolan, 26, of O'Hara, vice president of an aircraft company, and Frank Perman, 44, of Shaler, a funeral home director.

Shawn Flaherty, 46, of Fox Chapel, who won the seat in a special election in April to fill the unexpired term of convicted Rep. Jeff Habay, was unopposed for the Democratic nomination for a full two-year term.

34TH DISTRICT
Rep. Costa renominated

Incumbent Rep. Paul Costa credited some hard door-to-door campaigning for his apparent victory over a PA CleanSweep candidate and longtime school board member in the race for the Democratic nomination.

"We've worked hard for this," Mr. Costa, 46, said last night. He is seeking his fifth term.

Mr. Costa will face another Clean Sweep candidate in the fall. James P. Carr, a 60-year-old retired school administrator from Swissvale, ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

35TH DISTRICT
Gergely beats Matta

In a hard-fought campaign between two popular Mon Valley politicians, incumbent Rep. Marc J. Gergely, D-White Oak, appeared to be headed for a third term.

Mr. Gergely, 36, of White Oak, was challenged by Allegheny County Clerk of Courts George F. Matta II.

Mr. Matta conceded the election at 9:40 p.m. before a crowd at the Duquesne VFW.

No Republicans filed in the district.

38TH DISTRICT
Rep. Ruffing ousted

In a three-way race, incumbent Rep. Kenneth Ruffing, D-West Mifflin, was headed for defeat in his bid for a fifth term.

William C. Kortz II, 51, of Dravosburg, a political newcomer who was endorsed by PA CleanSweep, held a big lead in unofficial returns.

A third candidate, C.L. "Jay" Jabbour, 73, of West Mifflin, said voters apparently did not want anyone in office that had experience.

Mr. Ruffing, 39, was targeted for defeat after he voted in favor of the pay raise and took it, and then later voted to repeal it. Mr. Ruffing claimed he donated the money to an autism organization, but never produced documentation of the donation. Mr. Jabbour accused him of lying about the gift.

Daniel J. Davis, 41, of West Mifflin, a senior environmental project manager, was unopposed for the GOP nomination.

39TH DISTRICT
Rep. Levdansky wins

Incumbent Rep. David Levdansky, D-Forward, defeated challenger Robert E. Rhoderick Jr., 35, of Elizabeth Township.

Mr. Levdansky voted against the pay raise, did not accept it and voted to repeal it.

No Republicans filed in the district.

42ND DISTRICT
Novice stuns Stevenson

Mark Harris, 21, a George Washington University political science major who is just preparing to graduate, scored a stunning upset over longtime Republican incumbent Rep. Tom Stevenson, R-Mt. Lebanon.

Mr. Stevenson, 53, voted in favor of the legislative pay raise, accepted the money, then returned it. Late in the campaign, his supporters ran TV spots calling attention to Mr. Harris' lack of political and life experience.

Mr. Harris responded by sending Mr. Stevenson a copy of the book "Economics For Dummies."

Mr. Harris credited his campaign staff with the victory. "I'm honored to be the nominee," he said late last night.

Daniel A. Hackett, 49, of Mt. Lebanon ran third in the GOP contest.

Matthew Smith, 33, of Mt. Lebanon, was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

46TH DISTRICT
White defeats Walsh

Jesse White defeated Paul Walsh for the Democratic nomination to succeed Rep. Victor Lescovitz, who is retiring after 26 years.

A Burgettstown councilman and solicitor for Burgettstown Area School District, Mr. Walsh, 42, is a former assistant district attorney and onetime court-appointed child advocate.

Mr. White, 27, a former Cecil supervisor, was making his second try at the seat, after a narrow loss to Mr. Lescovitz during the primary two years ago.

Paul Snatchko, 29, of McDonald, was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

49TH DISTRICT
Rep. Daley wins easily

In a hotly contested race, incumbent Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-California, appeared to be cruising to an early victory last night over Democratic challengers James F. Rohaley and Randy J. Barli.

The Republican race remained too close to call, as 22-year-old Nate Nevala, a California Area School District director from West Pike Run, squared off with Edward S. Angell, a 38-year-old nurse from Carroll.

50TH DISTRICT
DeWeese renominated

H. William DeWeese, state House Democratic leader, had little trouble dispatching his most serious primary challenger in years.

Mr. DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, easily defeated Robert Danko, the Fayette County treasurer who lives in Masontown. Mr. Danko has been county treasurer since 1990.

In the fall, Mr. DeWeese will face one of two Republican challengers: Richard A. Yeager, 58, of Jefferson, the Republican chairman in Greene County for six years, or Greg Hopkins, 34, an elected township auditor in Morris.

51ST DISTRICT
Mahoney leads

Three Democrats and two Republicans were vying to succeed retiring Rep. Larry Roberts, D-Uniontown.

Tim Mahoney, 49, of South Union, a businessman and former county jury commissioner, was leading the Democratic race by a comfortable margin in early returns over Vincent A. Vicites, 45, of Uniontown, a Fayette County commissioner for 10 years, and Gary Gearing, 50, of Uniontown, a real estate developer.

On the Republican side, John "Sonny" Mikita III, 36, owner of an antique business and a certified real estate appraiser, defeated Harry F. Hughes, 75, of Uniontown, an engineer.

52ND DISTRICT
Kula apparent winner

The impending retirement of Rep. James E. Shaner, D-Lemont Furnace, a popular figure since he took office in 1995, caused a near-stampede of candidates to succeed him: eight Democrats and two Republicans.

Deberah Kula, 57, a former district judge in Union Township, opened a large lead in the Democratic field and appeared headed to victory last night.

On the GOP side, William Earnesty, 34, of Dunbar, a cable technician for a defense contractor, was leading Richard A. Grimaldi, 60, a dentist from Dunbar.

54TH DISTRICT
GOP race razor-thin

In a razor-thin Republican primary, Scott Witon led Jason Fularz, but the race was too close to call late last night.

Incumbent Rep. John Pallone, D-New Kensington, was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

58TH DISTRICT
Incumbent Harhai ahead

Preliminary reports last night showed incumbent Democratic Rep. Ted Harhai with a clear lead over challengers Jodie Goughnour and Bernard Serra.

Mr. Harhai last night said voters appreciate his clean campaign and his voting record.

Mr. Harhai, a former Monessen mayor and councilman, was first elected to the House in 1998. He was not present for the notorious July pay raise vote; he was having surgery that day.

Ms. Goughnour, a 38-year-old East Huntingdon law student, ran under the PA CleanSweep banner, and part of the "Run Baby Run" slate, an effort to get Western Pennsylvania women into the male-dominated Legislature.

Republican Pete McConnell, 47, a gynecologist from Rostraver, ran unopposed for the GOP nomination.

59TH DISTRICT
Rep. Stairs wins big

Rep. Jess Stairs, R-Mount Pleasant, skated to an easy win over two GOP opponents.

Mr. Stairs, 63, has 30 years in the House and chairs the education committee.

Kathy Marks, 41, of Mount Pleasant, ran due to outrage over the pay raise. She had no comment last night.

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Correction/Clarification: (Published May 18, 2006) This article on legislative races as originally published on May 17, 2006 incorrectly referred to defeated state Rep. Frank LaGrotta as a Republican. He is a Democrat.