Republicans in Washington, Greene fend off Democratic wave to win state House seats
Republicans running in Washington and Greene counties bucked the blue wave from Democrats statewide and nationally to sweep the six state House seats up for grabs.
Ben Humble of Waynesburg will be the new state representative for the 50th State House District after beating Democrat Lois Bower-Bjornson of Scenery Hill in Tuesday’s midterm election.
“The message stayed the same from the primary: We’re willing to run on merit,” Humble said in a phone interview during a gathering with family and friends at Brookehaven in Franklin Township. “We ran a good, hard, Christian campaign. We kept the faith and the mission. I appreciate the hard work from my opponent and wish her the best.”
Humble defeated five-term state Rep. Bud Cook in the Republican primary in May to advance to the general election to run against Bower-Bjornson.
Humble will now be the new freshman legislator representing Greene County and southeastern Washington County after defeating Bower-Bjornson by a 62-to-38% margin. The volunteer firefighter and co-owner of Humble Flooring in Waynesburg will be in the minority as a Republican in the state House, but he said he’s eager to work with Democrats to help improve people’s lives.
“I think any time you want to get something done, you have to do it in a manner that makes sense for both sides. But most of us aren’t that far apart,” Humble said. “I think working on projects together and doing what’s best for our communities, we’re not that far away. It’s time to put the labels away and know why we’re there.”
Republicans swept all the races for districts connected to Washington and Greene counties, although several came down to the wire.
State Natalie Mihalek, R-Peters Township, barely beat Democratic challenger Jon Lloyd of Bethel Park to win the 40th State House District. Mihalek defeated Lloyd by a 51.5-to-48.5% margin in the district that includes Peters Township, Bethel Park and parts of Upper St. Clair.
State Rep. Jason Ortitay, R-Cecil, beat Democratic challenger Mike Crosey of South Fayette by a 52.7-to-47.3% margin in the 46th State House District that includes parts of Washington and Allegheny counties.
State Rep. Tim O’Neal, R-South Strabane defeated Democrat Rebecca MacTaggart of South Strabane by a 57-to-43% for his 48th State House District that runs diagonally from southwestern Washington County to the Mon Valley.
State Rep. Andrew Kuzma, R-Elizabeth, beat Democrat Dylan Altemara of Elizabeth by a 53.5-to-46.5% to win his 39th State House District that includes the Mon Valley in Washington and Allegheny counties.
State Rep. Josh Kail, R-Beaver, defeated Democratic challenger Sydney Speicher of Midway by a 62-to-28% margin for his 15th State House District that includes western areas of Washington and Beaver counties.