Trending
Incumbent Jim Gregory, R-Blair, is expected to win a third term as 80th District state representative after receiving 20,803 unofficial votes to Democratic opponent Kimberly Capenos' 4,403 unofficial votes in Blair County alone.
In Huntingdon County, Gregory received 1,040 votes to Capenos' 226 votes.
"We don't take any race for granted and every day we run like we're 10 points down," Gregory said. "Today, we prevailed, and I'm looking forward to my third term representing the 80th District."
The most pressing issue for Gregory going into his third term is getting justice for victims of child sexual abuse, he said.
"We're going back to finish that process this year," Gregory said. "I made that promise to my constituents that that's what I was going to do when I first ran so that's the first thing I'll be making sure we get done when I get to Harrisburg to start this session."
Other issues Gregory plans to focus on are those he says his supporters are concerned with, such as "keeping food on the table, having a good job, raising their families in a safe environment, having a good school and having good safe neighborhoods."
"Beyond that, other issues that I've worked on are lending my experience, strength and hope to the opioid crisis in Pennsylvania," Gregory said. "Being a voice for those families who have lost loved ones and it's a heavy lift in Pennsylvania -- the last four years we have gone backwards and the reporting here locally would indicate that the voice like mine is the voice we need in Harrisburg."
While Capenos admitted to being "very real" about her chances in unseating Gregory, she "wanted to give people a choice."
"I think you'll see my name again," Capenos said, noting that a Democrat hasn't won that race since 1977.
Blair County Democratic Chair Gillian Kratzer held similar sentiments, saying that no matter the outcome of the midterm elections, it was "not the end."
"Listen, this is Pennsylvania and we have elections every single year," Kratzer said. "So, the second this is over, get ready for the next round."
When asked whether he would seek a fourth term, Gregory said he was a "one-day-at-a-time kind of guy."
"We don't get to do this alone," Gregory said. "We do it with the support and prayers of so many people around us. Going to all of the polls today and the outpouring of support from my constituents that tell me 'just keep doing what you're doing,' I am grateful to them for that support."
Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor is at 814-946-7458.