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.
Nearly One-in-Six Americans Have Acted on AI Medical Advice Without Speaking to Human, Poll Shows
ICYMI: Judge Shuts Down Democrats’ Attempt to Rush in Late Votes After Candidates Drop Out
Top Dem operative brushes off latest scandal plaguing Maine Senate candidate as ‘salacious gossip’
Gun rights gets ‘greatest restoration’ in 100 years with latest Trump DOJ move, lawmaker hails
Democrats realize they love Haley Stevens, just a little too late
Veteran pediatrician hails Medicaid shift ending youth sex-change treatments: ‘This is not denial of care’
Legal expert calls for Smithsonian leadership overhaul over ‘self-loathing’ portrayal of history: ‘It’s bile’
Man charged with assault, hate crimes after allegedly disrupting Shabbat services at NYC synagogue
Shake Shack worker allegedly calls out before robbing own restaurant, returns in uniform 2 days later
California Man Receives Postcard Sent by His Late Parents 26 Years Ago
DFW Airport scraps controversial Islamic foot-washing station plan as Texas Gov Abbott takes aim
California teen faces prison after viral video shows him squaring up, repeatedly kicking sea lion in the face
Delta flight diverted twice after lavatory leak floods cabin, leaves passengers stranded for hours
Reagan National Airport makes drastic change following deadly 2025 midair collision
Watch: Little League Coach Declares, ‘Jesus Is Still Lord’ Live on ESPN
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.”
Nearly One-in-Six Americans Have Acted on AI Medical Advice Without Speaking to Human, Poll Shows
ICYMI: Judge Shuts Down Democrats’ Attempt to Rush in Late Votes After Candidates Drop Out
Top Dem operative brushes off latest scandal plaguing Maine Senate candidate as ‘salacious gossip’
Gun rights gets ‘greatest restoration’ in 100 years with latest Trump DOJ move, lawmaker hails
Democrats realize they love Haley Stevens, just a little too late
Veteran pediatrician hails Medicaid shift ending youth sex-change treatments: ‘This is not denial of care’
Legal expert calls for Smithsonian leadership overhaul over ‘self-loathing’ portrayal of history: ‘It’s bile’
Man charged with assault, hate crimes after allegedly disrupting Shabbat services at NYC synagogue
Shake Shack worker allegedly calls out before robbing own restaurant, returns in uniform 2 days later
California Man Receives Postcard Sent by His Late Parents 26 Years Ago
DFW Airport scraps controversial Islamic foot-washing station plan as Texas Gov Abbott takes aim
California teen faces prison after viral video shows him squaring up, repeatedly kicking sea lion in the face
Delta flight diverted twice after lavatory leak floods cabin, leaves passengers stranded for hours
Reagan National Airport makes drastic change following deadly 2025 midair collision
Watch: Little League Coach Declares, ‘Jesus Is Still Lord’ Live on ESPN
Friedenberg, a lawyer and information technology instructor at Penn State University, ran against Marino in last year’s midterm elections and lost by 32 points.
Story cited here.
