Incumbents swept to easy victories for the 23rd state Senate and 83rd state House seats in Tuesday's election.
State Sen. E. Eugene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, defeated Democratic challenger Luana Cleveland, in unofficial results.
Also unofficially, state Rep. Rick Mirabito, D-Williamsport, received 58.6 percent of the vote to easily defeat Republican Harry Rogers.
Article Photos
MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette
State Rep. Rick Mirabito, D-Williamsport, speaks to supporters at the Democratic Club after winning re-election Tuesday night.
The figures were Mirabito, 13,259 votes and Rogers, 9,304 votes.
The Mirabito-Rogers race became a particularly vitriolic one in the final weeks, with each candidate resorting to some nasty campaign advertising.
Once again, however, Mirabito was able to hold onto his seat.
"What I am most proud of is we found a way to have a common language among Democrats, Republicans and independents," Mirabito said. "That is what we have to do as a state, to do as a country, to gain respect of the electorate and those who put us in office, to reach out to all people and find solutions to the problems we face."
Mirabito said Rogers called him late Tuesday night to congratulate him on his victory.
"And I said to him, no matter what happens in this campaign, we would remain friendly to each other. And I am hoping that that is the case, that we can do that."
Rogers could not be reached for comment.
In 2010, Mirabito defeated Republican challenger Dave Huffman.
Yaw, facing his first re-election fight, grabbed 70 percent of the vote in his home base of Lycoming County, according to unofficial figures.
He also grabbed 72 percent of the vote in Bradford County, 68 percent of the vote in Susquehanna County and 67 percent of the vote in Union County.
Neither Senate candidate could be reached for comment late Tuesday night.
