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: Maryland carjacking suspect plows toward cops as they open fire

Suspected DUI driver leads cops on wild chase before dramatic takedown on popular California beach

Mamdani Locked in Unexpected War with NY Teachers Union Over Big Bonuses

Tensions erupt in House hearing as GOP advances anti-socialism resolution while Dems rage: ‘Silly season’

Who pays for US power boom? Blue, red states offer starkly different ways to lower utility bills amid AI surge

Fact check: Trump claims no autism cases among unvaccinated Amish children

Breaking: SCOTUS Gives Trump’s Ballroom Construction the Green Light

Bryan Kohberger’s new lawyer says key questions may soon get answers in court

Vance hosts members from Michigan synagogue attack at rally after el Sayed apology

Vance unloads on El-Sayed after Usha swipe with brutal warning: ‘Way out of your league’

Trump’s White House ballroom construction gets another lifeline from SCOTUS amid heated legal fight

The Fight Against Globalism Is Local: Why Americans Are Fighting Flock Cameras and Data Centers

Democratic Socialists of America Embroiled in ‘Civil War’ Over Future as AOC Is Slammed for ‘Consistent Pattern of Opportunism’

Dem Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed Attempts to Cover Up His Past Comments About 9/11

New Federal Grand Jury Subpoenas James Comey’s Friend and Adviser: Report

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.”