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.

WATCH: Cory Booker unleashes fiery call for ‘foot soldiers’ at Michigan Dem conference

Leaked memos reveal how Supreme Court steamrolled Obama climate plan in 2016 showdown

Trump Disputes His Energy Secretary’s Assessment of Gas Prices: ‘He’s Wrong on That’

Nancy Mace Calls for ‘Immediate’ Expulsion of Fellow House Republican: ‘The Worst Kind of Pond Scum’

Repeat offender released early from jail now charged with capital murder of pregnant woman

Trump and Johnson to hold Virginia tele-rally against Spanberger’s gerrymander

Who is Joseph diGenova Reagan-era prosecutor tapped to lead ‘grand conspiracy’ investigation

Mob of teens chases college student into campus dorm, unleashes violent attack as police hunt suspects

Eight children dead in Louisiana domestic violence killing spree: What to know

Texas AG Paxton sues Dem fundraising platform ActBlue, alleging ‘fraudulent and foreign donations’

Bernie-backed Dem’s pro-gun Clint Eastwood post, Kaepernick critique spurs apology in battleground race

Watch Patel on Bartiromo: ‘I Can Announce’ Arrests Are Coming in Stolen 2020 Election Case – ‘Stay Tuned This Week’

Trump Reveals JD Vance and His Negotiating Team ‘Heading Over’ for Second Round of Iran Talks

WATCH: Houston faces $110M hit as Texas gov lays down law on ‘sanctuary’ policies

Left-wing activists heckle pro-Israel Democrat Haley Stevens at Michigan convention

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.”