Local News

Ward ‘humbled’ by retention of state Senate post

State Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, appeared to easily win re-election and defeat Democratic candidate Sean Steeg in the race for Pennsylvania's 30th senatorial district, unofficial election results showed Tuesday.

According to the unofficial tally, as of 10:13 p.m., Ward secured 29,819 votes in Blair County and Steeg had 13,114 votes.

Ward, who attended a Republican watch party Tuesday night at the Altoona Grand Hotel, said she's grateful for her constituents' confidence and support.

"I'm very humbled by it all," Ward said of winning re-election.

In her next term, Ward said she has some unfinished business she's hoping to get done, including an agriculture bill that would allow dairy transportation vehicles to haul more milk and a number of bills related to economic development.

Ward is also hopeful to remain the chair of the state Senate Transportation Committee, which oversees issues related to roads, bridges, rail and aviation.

"We've got a lot of things to keep track of; it's a busy committee and there's lots to do," Ward said, adding sometimes rural Pennsylvania is forgotten when transportation issues are being addressed in the state.

"We can't allow that to happen. We have to have rural transit," Ward said.

Ward said the state Senate was instrumental in getting the commonwealth out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and pledged to continue her efforts to lower costs and cut taxes for all Pennsylvanians.

"That was a big win," Ward said of getting out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, adding it would've meant higher electric prices for all Pennsylvanians.

Other programs Ward supported tackle the affordability crisis include the Working Pennsylvania Tax Credit and the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit program, she said.

Steeg, who attended a watch party at the Bavarian Aid Society in Altoona, said as much as he would have liked to win, the real key to the midterm election was to move forward as a commonwealth.

He praised Gov. Josh Shapiro's early re-election win as a big deal for Democrats, who were hoping to secure a trifecta in Harrisburg by taking a majority control of the state Senate.

Although Steeg didn't get to contribute to that goal, as long as the state is able to raise its minimum wage and provide more funding for education, he said "that is a flavor of winning that I am content enough with."

After the long electoral season, Steeg said he's going to focus more on his business, the Juniata Brewing Co. in Huntingdon, and hopes to move the community forward. Running for office again is something he would consider in the future if he's blessed with an opportunity to do it again, he said.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.