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.

Investigation: ActBlue Got Foreign Cash Then Punished Whistleblower

Watch: Police K-9 Limps Out Hospital to a Round of Applause After Surgery for a Catastrophic On-Duty Injury

Trump’s Greenland deal shadows Xi visit after years of Beijing eyeing Arctic influence

She grew up under Soviet rule. Now EU’s top diplomat warns Europe against giving Russia what it wants

Fulton Sheen became a TV sensation preaching faith, morality and warnings Michael Knowles says still resonate

WATCH: Former Dem Lt Gov reveals why he resigned after sexual harassment probe rocked state

Breaking: SCOTUS Strikes Down GOP-Favored Map Revived Just 4 Days Ago

St Paul police chief sues mayor, alleging she called herself a ‘MILF,’ sexually harassed him and retaliated

Family of paralyzed Marine vet allegedly shot by migrant speaks out as health issue could delay testimony

Supreme Court blocks Missouri from using new congressional map in 2026 election

For This Dem Judge, a Gay Man’s Life Is Only Worth $765 and 30 Days in Jail When It’s Taken by a Black Woman

Woman Has Part of Her Face Bitten Off in Random ‘Zombie Bite’ Attack

Florida GOP nominee blasts 20-year Dem incumbent as a ‘socialist’ rubber-stamp with ‘precious little to show’

Pope Leo Issues Apocalyptic Warning About AI Creating a ‘Paradise of Machines’

Tennessee Man, 68, Charged with Threatening to Kill ICE Agents on Left-Wing Social Media Platform

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.”