By Rich Lord

In a seat spanning Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties, incumbent Jaret Gibbons, D-Franklin, appears to have edged out Republican Michael See in a battle of the thirtysomethings.

Mr. See, 31, of North Sewickley Township, who works in human resources for a steel manufacturer, said in the campaign's closing days that Mr. Gibbons, 32, of Ellwood City, "has been too often pushed by party bosses and by donors to take votes that don't help our district."

But big margins in Lawrence County saved the District 10 Democrat, who said voters "saw past all of the negative attacks."

His goals: "With the Marcellus growth in the region, the new shale cracker plant, and hopefully a new race track in the next year, we can really have a great future."

Republicans have finally knocked off the Murtha-Critz crowd in PA12, and Keith Rothfus is the latest GOP congressman from Western Pennsylvania.

Mr. Critz just called his opponent to concede, his campaign said.

It was the most competitive congressional race in the state and the most expensive, in terms of outside advertising spending, in the entire country. It is also a tough defeat for labor unions that went all out to defeat Critz's Democratic foe Jason Altmire in the spring but could not deliver another win in the district outside of Pittsburgh, even on a night when Democrats cleaned up across the rest of the state.

There will now be one congressional Democrat -- Mike Doyle -- in all of the former Democratic stronghold of Western Pa.

US Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, is opening up a 13-point lead on Dem challenger Missa Eaton. From his campaign:

"Two years ago the good people of Pennsylvania's 3rd District elected me to represent their interests of restoring a strong economy and bringing fiscal sanity back to Washington. The goals of two years ago remain the same today in the new 3rd District and across this country. I am humbled by their support and pledge to continue fighting everyday to bring western Pennsylvania's voices, values and issues to Washington."

By Rich Lord

In an open seat race, Republican Hal English, of Hampton, was rolling up a convincing lead over Democrat David Tusick of Fox Chapel.

The seat had been held by Republican Randy Vulakovich, who ascended in August to the state Senate seat formerly held by Jane Orie, convicted of charges stemming from the use of state resources in campaigns.

Mr. Tusick, 26, an ad agency partner, said in the run-up to the voting that his job on the campaign trail was to highlight "bad decisions being made at our state level. ... For instance, education cuts have been forcing tax increases on the local level."

But Mr. English, 49, an elder law attorney, was the one celebrating at what he said was "the second post-election party I've [ever] been to," the first being Mr. Vulakovich's celebration over the summer.

"I just think I have a lot of experience that people wanted to rely on to be their representative," Mr. English said. "My charge is to represent all of the residents, regardless of their political affiliation."

Rich Lord: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 412-263-1542 or Twitter @richelord