The Harrisburg veteran overwhelmed the political newcomer for the Democratic nomination in the 16th state House race.

Rob Matzie, an aide to retiring state Sen. Gerald LaValle, defeated Donald Despines, a Norfolk Southern railroad engineer at the Conway Yard, by a 3-2 margin.

The unofficial final vote was 7,734 for Mr. Matzie, 5,243 for Mr. Despines.

Mr. Matzie said his victory reflected the faith voters placed in his experience not only as a 13-year legislative aide but as a onetime mayor of Ambridge. Ten or so years spent as a sports and talk show broadcaster on WMBA radio in Ambridge and Aliquippa also helped.

"We stayed on message from day one. We never wavered, always stayed positive," he said yesterday. "I think that was really understood by the voters."

Mr. Despines was disappointed but not disillusioned, attributing the outcome to his competitor's backing from Democratic Party organizations in Allegheny and Beaver counties.

"He didn't outwork me, I can tell you that," he said, but "he had two parties behind him. You can't sneeze at that. You really can't. That was probably the difference."

Precinct-level organization was essential in the far-flung 16th District, Mr. Matzie said. The district resembles a crazy quilt of 13 towns in Allegheny and Beaver counties: Crescent, Leet, parts of Franklin Park and Ross, Bell Acres, Bellevue and Leetsdale in Allegheny; and Aliquippa, Harmony, Ambridge, Baden, Conway and parts of Economy in Beaver.

"One of the first things people in Ross told me is they have five legislators -- five. Half of them don't know who their representative is," Mr. Matzie said.

"It's not fair to Ross. It really isn't. They really cut up the district in 2000," he said, surmising that a more logical configuration could emerge from the next U.S. Census in 2010.

Both candidates are Democrats who are lifelong residents of Beaver County, Mr. Matzie in Ambridge and Mr. Despines in Economy. Roughly 50 percent more votes were cast in Beaver than in Allegheny.

There was no GOP candidate and fewer than 50 write-in votes, virtually assuring Mr. Matzie of victory in November.

Mr. Matzie, 39, held a commanding lead in both counties through the night, though the race initially seemed more competitive in the Beaver County precincts.

Mr. Despines, 30, held out hope that he would close the gap once the Beaver County results outpaced those being tallied in Allegheny, but that was not the case. The margin of victory in each county wound up being about the same.

Mr. Despines thanked his 5,200-plus supporters who left him itching for a rematch.

"I guarantee you when I started this in mid-January, people didn't even think I'd be in the running," he said. "In two years, all I can say is 'Look out.' "