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.

Karen Bass meets with Trump at White House to push for LA wildfire relief after months of clashes

Manhattan DA’s office employee charged with sexual abuse after alleged incident on Queens subway

Florida prisoner laughs as judge sentences him to life for killing cellmate with pen: ‘You are amusing’

Florida man’s execution date set for killing 2, including small child

Senate GOP launches all-night vote-a-rama to fund ICE, Border Patrol through end of Trump’s term

Ilhan Omar Rages at Reporter Who Confronted Her About Financial Disclosure: ‘You’re Stupid’

Five things to know about Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner

Judge Slams the Brakes on Democrats’ Virginia Redistricting, Rules Every Vote ‘Ineffective’

Video exposes disrepair lurking beneath Trump Kennedy Center as $257M renovation looms

‘Come On!’: Maury Povich Dismantles Joy Reid’s Absurd Claim That Dems Don’t ‘Play Politics’

Obama’s Shameless Hypocrisy Exposed as He Celebrates Democrats’ Virginia Power Grab

Mexican national convicted of illegally voting in US after false citizenship claims faces removal: DHS

DC pipe bomb suspect pleads not guilty to terrorism and WMD charges

Virginia court declares state’s redistricting vote was unconstitutional in legal win for Republicans

National Gallery of Art receives record $116 million donation for America’s 250th birthday

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.”