PA Primary 2018 Results: Reschenthaler, Fetterman Win

PITTSBURGH, PA - Rick Saccone lost his second congressional bid in two months, Braddock Mayor John Fetterman won the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor and the Costa family’s political dynasty in the state House crashed and burned.

Other than that, it was an uneventful primary Tuesday in southwestern Pennsylvania. Here are the key race results:

14th Congressional District: Reschenthaler Tops Saccone

The newly configured district pitted Saccone, a state representative from Elizabeth, against state Sen. Guy Reschenthaler of Jefferson Hills for the Republican nomination. Saccone lost to Democrat Conor Lamb in the special election for the 18th District in March and lost to Reschenthaler on Tuesday.

With 94 percent of the vote counted, Reschenthaler had 21,203 votes (55 percent) to Saccone’s 17,333 (45 percent).

On the Democratic side, former automotive executive Bibiana Boerio of Unity, Westmoreland County, won the nomination. With 94 percent to the vote tallied, Boerio had 17,002 votes or 45 percent followed by Adam Sedlock 8,287 (22 percent); Robert Solomon 7,162 (19 percent) and Tom Prigg 5,215 (13.8 percent).

Lieutenant Governor: Fetterman Victorious

Braddock Mayor John Fetterman easily rolled to victory, besting four other candidates for the Democratic nomination, including incumbent Mike Stack. With 89 percent of the vote in, the results were:

• Fetterman 257,560 (39.3 percent).

• Nina Ahmad 152,147 (23.2 percent).

• Kathi Cozzone 115,440 (17.6 percent).

• Stack 108,731 (16.6 percent).

• Ray Sosa 20,812 (3.2 percent).

Fetterman will face Montgomery County developer Jeff Bartos, who won the GOP nomination over three candidates. With 89 percent of the votes in, the results were:

• Bartos 261,438 (45.3 percent)

• Kathy Coder 129,840 (22.5 percent).

• Diana Vaughan 103,482 (17.9 percent).

• Peg Luksik 82,210 (14.2 percent)

State House: Costa Dynasty Crumbles

Two veteran incumbent Costa cousins - Dom Costa in the 21st Legislative District and Paul Costa in the 34th - were defeated in their renomination bids.

With 100 percent of the vote in, communications and nonprofit consultant Sara Innamorato had 65 percent of the vote to Dom Costa’s 35 percent. Progressive Democrat Summer Lee had 68 percent of the vote to Paul Costa’s 32 percent.

In the 40th District, where Republican incumbent John Maher of Upper St. Clair is retiring, attorney Natalie Mihalek won the GOP nomination to succeed him. With 85 percent of the vote in, Mihalek’s 51 percent of the vote gave her the win over two other candidates. The Democratic race was too close to call.

State Senate: Vulakovich Vanquished

In the 21st Senatorial District Ross Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer defeated incumbent Randy Vulakovich of Shaler for the Republican nomination. Shaffer, who received 59 percent of the vote, will face Democrat Lindsey Williams in the fall.

Reschenthaler feature photo: Pennsylvania State Senate.

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