JOHNSTOWN —
Longtime Democratic state Sen. John Wozniak, 56, survived a scare from newcomer Tim Houser to win his ninth term in the Senate.
The final tally was 29,471 to 27,720, for a 3 percent margin of victory across the sprawling 35th senatorial district.
“That was some run, wasn’t it?” Houser, 55, said late Tuesday. “It has been a good experience.”
The race was targeted by the state Republican Party, hoping to hold onto control of the Senate as a combination of retirements and failed redistricting efforts gave Democrats an opportunity to erase a 30-20 Republican majority over two election cycles.
Republicans saw the 35th as a chance to win a new seat, throwing more than $150,000 into the final weeks of race to help challenger Houser, a funeral director from Ebensburg.
The slim margin of victory did not shock Wozniak, of Westmont, who pointed to the last-minute onslaught of attack ads from both sides.
“That’s what negative campaigning does,” Wozniak said. “But that’s politics. I had to fight back.”
Wozniak said he does not blame Houser for the negative ads.
“It was never about Tim; it was about me,” Wozniak said. “I’d use the same stuff against me if I were running against me.”
Many of the ads called attention to Wozniak’s three decades in Harrisburg. He first was elected to the state House in 1981, winning the Senate seat in 1997.
Houser called Wozniak to concede the election just after 11 p.m. Tuesday.
Wozniak is looking forward to a slight change in the dynamics of the senate, with Democrats picking up at least two seats statewide.
“It makes for a more viable political force,” he said.
Wozniak wants to continue diversifying the state’s economy and seek to reform basic education funding formulas.
For his part, Houser said he plans step back out of politics.
“I think that sometimes God asks you to bloom where you are planted,” Houser said, adding that he has enjoyed helping families in Ebensburg through his funeral business.
“So, it is back to the funeral home work tomorrow,” he said.
Houser hopes his impressive showing against the 32-year legislator encourages others to consider running for office.
Homepage
Related Photos
-
Incumbent State Sen. John Wozniak greets Gina Horvath of Westmont and her daughter Mariabella Galasso, age 21 months, and fiance Joe Galasso at Westmont Borough polling location No. 3 at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County on Menoher Boulevard. Justin Dennis
-
First-time voters Emily (L) and Rebecca Krumenacker are greeted by state senate challenger Tim Houser in Nicktown. Gregg Doll/For The Tribune-Democrat
Discussion
Wozniak edges Houser to win state Senate race
- Tribune-Democrat News Slideshow
- Latest News
-
- Today's Thunder schedule
-
READY TO ROLL: Vendors prepped for rally
Food vendors, merchandise sellers and bar operators alike spent Wednesday afternoon turning downtown Johnstown into a vibrant hub for the thousands of motorcycle riders expected to roll into the city for Thunder in the Valley.
-
Thunder expected to draw little rain
Motorcyclists should encounter typical June weather when they ride into Johnstown for this year’s Thunder in the Valley.
-
Richland event gets head start
Hundreds of motorcyclists and others got a head start on Thunder in the Valley on Wednesday evening with Richland Bike Bash.
-
School safety targeted Measure would boost spending by 1,900%
A measure that would provide as much as $10 million in new grant dollars, including funding to help compensate local governments for placing police officers in schools, has been approved by a House education committee.
- Local News
-
- Today's Thunder schedule
-
READY TO ROLL: Vendors prepped for rally
Food vendors, merchandise sellers and bar operators alike spent Wednesday afternoon turning downtown Johnstown into a vibrant hub for the thousands of motorcycle riders expected to roll into the city for Thunder in the Valley.
-
Thunder expected to draw little rain
Motorcyclists should encounter typical June weather when they ride into Johnstown for this year’s Thunder in the Valley.
-
Richland event gets head start
Hundreds of motorcyclists and others got a head start on Thunder in the Valley on Wednesday evening with Richland Bike Bash.
-
School safety targeted Measure would boost spending by 1,900%
A measure that would provide as much as $10 million in new grant dollars, including funding to help compensate local governments for placing police officers in schools, has been approved by a House education committee.
- Sports
-
Pittsburgh Pirates' Starling Marte hits a triple off Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo in the third inning of a baseball game on Wednesday, June 19, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
-
Reds nip Bucs in 13th inning
Jay Bruce ended Jason Grilli's saves streak with a solo homer in the ninth, and Brandon Philips singled with the bases loaded in the 13th inning on Wednesday night, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Derrick Robinson and Shin-Soo Choo singled off Vin Mazzaro (3-2) with one out in the 13th and Joey Votto was walked intentionally. Phillips singled up the middle to end it. -
Patton rebounds with win over Portage
Patton manager Ray Eckenrode was concerned about the hangover from Tuesday night’s tough 1-0 loss at Ebensburg.
After a slow start on Wednesday night, the host Red Men started swinging the bat, producing 11 hits in a 6-1 win over Portage in Cambria League American Legion action. -
MIKE MASTOVICH| Rookie manager righting Laurel Auto Group ship
Casey Craig is new to his role as GM of the Laurel Auto Group franchise in the AAABA League.
But Craig has seen enough of Mark Thomchick to realize the first-year manager has brought instant respectability to a team that finished eight games under .500 last season. - Local baseball in brief 6/20/2013
-
Martella's Pharmacy fashions six-inning victory over Rail Birds
Through three scoreless innings at Point Stadium, the Altoona Rail Birds held their own against Martella’s Pharmacy in a AAABA League interleague contest.
But Martella’s patience at the plate and aggressiveness on the base paths turned a close game into a 10-run mercy rule affair on Tuesday.
-
Reds nip Bucs in 13th inning
- Features
-
-
Symbolic images | Exhibit will feature banners celebrating legends, customs of China
East will come West for the first time in a new exhibition at St. Francis University in Loretto. “Stories Joyfully Embroidered: Shaanxi Folk Textiles from Northern China” will be on display from June 28 through Oct. 12 at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Loretto.
- 'Asian Fusion' theme for SAMA's 35th annual gala
- Religion in brief | Church to observe pastor's anniversary
-
Symbolic images | Exhibit will feature banners celebrating legends, customs of China
- Lifestyles
-
-
For pastors, tattoos as symbols of faith
As the spiritual leader for two United Church of Christ congregations, the Rev. Richard Lindsay-Bignell found a way to combine his love of the ministry and his passion for art.
- ‘Kinky Boots’ struts off with most Tony Awards
- 'Boy or Girl?' Gender a new challenge for schools
-
- Multimedia
-
-
US gov't collecting huge number of phone records
The government is secretly collecting the telephone records of millions of U.S. customers of Verizon under a top-secret court order, according to the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee. The Obama administration is defending the National Security Agency's need to collect such records, but critics are calling it a huge over-reach.
- When nature invades: Deer where they don't belong
- Google flirts with what chairman Eric Schmidt once called 'the creepy line'
-
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
