Republican Patrick Stefano has won the 32nd District Senate seat in southwestern Pennsylvania over Democrat Deberah Kula.
The 32nd District encompasses Somerset and Fayette counties, as well as a section of Westmoreland County. Democrats have held this seat for 67 years, but Patrick Stefano will interrupt that legacy. Stefano is a business owner and it was his first time running for office.
He said he will prioritize three big issues.
“We need to look at reducing the size of government, and working on economic development so our businesses can expand and grow," Stefano said. "When they do that then more people will be able to get to work. When you get more people working a lot of our problems go away. Then we also have to look into our education situation. And we have to look into the pension crisis, because that’s part of the problem that’s driving up the cost of education."
Stefano defeated Kula 57 percent to 43 percent, though the numbers varied by county. In Somerset County, he finished ahead 72 percent to 28 percent.
Both Stefano’s and Kula’s campaigns raised more than $1 million, with most of the big contributions coming from outside the district. That’s about five times the state average for Pennsylvania Senate races.
Democrat Rich Kasunic, who currently holds the seat, is retiring.
