There might be an official winner soon in the 39th Pennsylvania legislative district. Representative Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny) is trying to fend off a challenge from the man who held that seat for 26 years.
In November 2010, Saccone upset then incumbent David Levdansky of Forward Township by just 150 votes. But this month's rematch is even closer. District 39 includes Clairton, Elizabeth Borough, Forward, Jefferson Hills, South Park Township, West Elizabeth and part of Elizabeth in Allegheny County plus Finleyville, New Eagle, Nottingham, Union and part of Carroll Township in Washington County.
After election night, the Allegheny County Elections Division reported that Levdansky had 11,388 votes and Saccone pulled in 11,048 votes. Saccone added 3,226 votes from Washington County compared to 2,850 for Levdansky. That amounted to a 36 vote lead for Saccone, 14,274 to 14,238.
The counties have now tabulated military absentee as well as provisional ballots and the incumbent Saccone has widened his margin to 109 votes--14,479 to 14,370.
Allegheny County Elections Division Manager Mark Wolosik said there are 31 challenges to ballots and the hearings on those challenges are scheduled for Friday and Monday. Washington County Elections Director Larry Spahr did not have challenge information for that county. However, unless there are at least 78 challenges in Washington County and Levdansky wins every challenge in both counties, it's likely Saccone will have won a second term in the House. That would give the Republicans a 112-91 majority in that chamber.
