The victory party at the AMS Club in South Greensburg, according to Tony Bompiani, drew more than 200 guests and went on long after early returns showed he led the Democratic race for the state Senate in District 39 with more than 60 percent of the vote.

This ability to unite people behind a common cause is, according to some of his supporters, one of the main reasons for Dr. Bompiani's landslide victory in Tuesday's primary.

"We all pulled together and we knew what we had," said his wife, Renee, of the way family, friends and constituents worked to support her husband, a Youngwood chiropractor.

"We stood behind him 100 percent. Knowing him the way we know him, we knew that there was no one else better for the job."

Dale Hutchinson of Greensburg said: "He's going to strengthen the Democratic Party again, bring it back where it was -- and bring the respect back to Westmoreland County."

According to the Westmoreland County Election Bureau, Dr. Bompiani defeated Chris Huffman, 40, of Rostraver, by gaining 65 percent of the vote -- despite Mr. Huffman's endorsement from the county Democratic committee. Vote totals are unofficials.

Dr. Bompiani, 54, of Hempfield, will face incumbent Bob Regola, R-Hempfield, in the November election. Mr. Regola, who is in his first term, ran unopposed in the primary.

Mr. Huffman said he has "no regrets" regarding his race and hopes his party will come together to support Dr. Bompiani in November.

"We need to join together and make sure that we get that seat back," said Mr. Huffman, a Greensburg attorney.

Dr. Bompiani agreed that unity among Democrats was the best way to defeat Mr. Regola and said he and Mr. Huffman would meet in early May to discuss options to bring party members together.

"We need to meet with the other side of the Democratic Party and draw them together because we can't win in November without both sides together," he said. "More important, the party needs to brought together and to become as one for the future."

Mr. Regola faces one count of perjury regarding a coroner's inquest into the death of a neighbor, Louis Farrell, 14. Authorities say Louis shot himself with Mr. Regola's gun. Mr. Regola is accused of giving his son, Bobby, access to the firearm.

There were four other contested races decided Tuesday in the PG East region, all for the state House and all in Westmoreland County. And like the Bompiani-Huffman contest, those four ended up as routs.

John E. Pallone appears headed toward a fifth consecutive term in the Legislature.

He easily defeated his Democratic rival, Anthony G. Shea Jr., securing more than 82 percent of the votes in unofficial totals.

Barring a surge in popularity by a write-in candidate, Mr. Pallone, 47, of New Kensington, will likely win in November as well. No Republican filed in this district.

Mr. Shea, 41, of Gilpin, is a retired Air Force officer who was a major for 22 years.

An easy primary victory has made the general election the primary concern of James E. Casorio Jr.

Mr. Casorio, D-North Huntingdon, will be seeking a seventh consecutive term in the House when he takes on Susanna Lisotto, 50, a Republican from Penn Township. She is a hospice manager who ran unopposed in the primary.

He garnered about 84 percent of his party's vote Tuesday to defeat Brian S. Blasko, 22, a substitute social studies teacher from North Huntingdon.

Mr. Blasko has faced, and lost to, Mr. Casorio before. As a college senior in November 2006, Mr. Blasko ran as an independent and finished third behind the incumbent and Republican Joel Reiter.

John W. Boyle had little time to celebrate.

"I'm fresh out of vacation days," he said late Tuesday. "It's back to work tomorrow. I have to feed my family."

Mr. Boyle, 43, is a Pittsburgh attorney. He also is a Democratic House nominee after taking a three-way race, earning 48 percent of the vote to defeat Roland "Bud" Mertz (34 percent) and Scott Sistek (18 percent).

Tim Krieger, 46, an attorney from Delmont, was unopposed on the Republican side and will face Mr. Boyle, of Greensburg.

The winner will succeed Tom Tangretti, D-Hempfield, who is retiring after 10 terms.

Mr. Mertz, 49, is a Greensburg fire captain. Mr. Sistek, 49, of New Stanton, is an aide to Mr. Tangretti.

Jess Stairs would be a tough act for anyone to follow. A Republican from Mount Pleasant, Mr. Stairs will retire in late November after 32 years in the House.

Mike Reese took a step toward succeeding him. He got nearly 59 percent of the vote to defeat "Buddy" Helterbran, 64, of Ligonier, for the GOP nod.

Mr. Reese, 30, of Mount Pleasant Township, will face Democrat Michael O'Barto in the general election. Mr. O'Barto, 49, was unopposed in the primary.

Mr. Reese is the assistant finance director for Westmoreland. Mr. Helterbran is a contractor and borough councilman. Mr. O'Barto is a Unity supervisor.