Pennsylvania Republican Fred Keller projected to win special House election

Pennsylvania state Rep. Fred Keller was projected to easily defeat Democrat Marc Friedenberg in Tuesday’s special election to represent the Keystone State’s 12th District in the House of Representatives.

With 81 percent of precincts reporting, Keller had received 70 percent of the vote, compared to 30 percent for Friedenberg.

Keller would complete the two-year term begun by Republican Tom Marino, who resigned in January, just three weeks into his fifth House term. With Keller’s victory, the House comprises 235 Democrats and 198 Republicans. Two seats in North Carolina are vacant pending the outcome of special elections later this year.

Tuesday’s result is no surprise, as the 12th District is solidly Republican and voters there backed Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election by a margin of better than 2 to 1 over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Cops arrest 14-year-old accused of gunning down business school graduate on way to ballgame

Breaking: New Hiring Twice as High as Economists Expected in Gangbusters Jobs Report

2 States Aren’t Just Defying ‘Pride Month,’ They’re Replacing Pagan Celebration With ‘Nuclear Family Month’

The Octagon on the South Lawn: Trump’s UFC Freedom 250 White House extravaganza

Democrat bankrolling Graham Platner’s campaign ripped for downplaying abuse allegations and more top headlines

Republicans face ticking midterm clock as Iran fallout keeps pressure on gas prices

Trump’s personal legal team aims to clear hush money conviction

Dem senator bankrolling Platner’s campaign ripped for downplaying abuse allegations in bombshell report

The key strategy red states are using to lower housing costs revealed

Senate push to reauthorize nation’s spy powers stumbles over controversial Trump decision

Handcuffed suspect allegedly slips restraints, steals Dallas police cruiser with officer trapped in back seat

Overcrowded migrant vessel with 240 people on board intercepted near Turks and Caicos

Rubio sanctions Cuban groups with ties to US nonprofit network funded by communist donor Neville Roy Singham

New Jersey man accused of killing wife with barbell allegedly confessed in messages to relatives: report

Trump announces ‘rally to end all rallies’ in DC to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary

Trump himself urged his supporters to back Keller at a Monday night rally in Montoursville, telling the fifth-term state legislator, “We’ve got to win tomorrow, Fred.” He endorsed Keller on Twitter earlier Tuesday, calling the Republican “Strong on Crime, Second Amendment, Military, Vets, and Healthcare,” and saying Keller had “my Complete and Total Endorsement!”

Pennsylvania – Don’t forget to get out and VOTE TODAY for Republican Fred Keller for Congress. Fred is Strong on Crime, Second Amendment, Military, Vets, and Healthcare. He has my Complete and Total Endorsement!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 21, 2019

Keller reciprocated Trump’s support Monday night, offering a rousing endorsement of the president and vowing to support his policies in Congress, saying the people of the district “have been behind you since Day One, and, Mr. President, our support for you is as strong today as it ever was.”

He also said, “In 2016, Pennsylvania put Donald Trump over the top, and in 2020, we’re going to do it again.”