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With one exception, region’s election went somewhat predictably

While the nation’s midterm elections featured a generous share of upheaval, close races and unpredictability, most of the Pennsylvania races of interest to our region fit pre-election expectations.

With one exception.

Stephanie Borowicz turned the 76th Legislative District in the state House of Representatives Republican for the first time in three decades.

The second-time candidate decisively outpolled Mike Hanna Jr. for representation of a district that includes Clinton County and parts of Centre County. Her win was surprising given the name recognition of Hanna, who was seeking a seat occupied previously by his father for a long time.

In our view, her assignment is the same one we’d give any new state representative – prepare to bring new ideas to a state government sorely in need of revision while also understanding the practical role of a state representative.

The region’s other two state representatives, Garth Everett and Jeff Wheeland, won predictably easy re-election. We hope their growing seniority in Harrisburg will mean more influence on major issues.

Elsewhere Tuesday in Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolf won as easily as expected re-election to a second term as the state’s governor. We hope the second term will see more realistic budget proposals and a stronger push to solve the state’s pension system underfunding, as well as needed reforms such as privatization of the state liquor store system.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey also won easy re-election to another six-year term in Washington. He has spoken of the need for more bipartisanship in Washington.

But he acted in just the opposite manner when not even consenting to an interview with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, instead joining the herd of those voting against the nomination without really examining Kavanaugh’s record and the unproven allegations against him.

We hope the next term does not see any repeats of that lack of representation.

Despite a swing of the U.S. House of Representatives to Democratic control, Rep. Tom Marino handily won re-election to a fifth term, this time outpolling Marc Friedenberg to represent a redistricted 12th Congressional District that includes much of Centre County.

He will be challenged to represent a revamped constituency, but the rules of democracy don’t change – all constituents deserve the best in representation, regardless of the demographics of a district.

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