Argall holds off first challenger in over a decade for fifth term in State Senate
HARRISBURG – State Senator David G. Argall (R-29) will represent Schuylkill County for a fifth term, defeating his first general election opponent since 2012.
Argall was first elected in a 2009 special election following the untimely passing of Senator James J. Rhoades. He defeated Brian Rich in a hotly-contested primary in 2012 and Tim Seip in the general election in 2012 and had run unopposed ever since.
“Tuesday’s results were amazing—and historic,” Argall said in a statement. “I was very pleased to win every single precinct in this Senate district for the first time in Carbon, Schuylkill, and southern Luzerne counties, with 73 percent of all voters, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, including several communities which Republicans do not normally win.”
“My main goal remains the same: To continue to work with my local partners to breathe new life into all of our towns across this large Senate district and to improve our local schools, from pre-school to grad school,” Argall added.
John Zugarek, of White Haven, earned the Democratic nomination to challenge Argall this year.
A recent round of redistricting added all of Carbon County and a large swath of lower Luzerne to the 29th Senatorial District, where Zugarek is from.
Zugarek is a professor at Marywood University in Scranton and a councilman in White Haven. He previously ran, unsuccessfully, for a seat in the state House of Representatives.
Argall had 72.5% of the vote, or 81,875 votes, as of 6am, while Zugarek had 24.4%, or 27,589 votes.
Timothy Henning, of Shenandoah Heights, was on the ballot as a Libertarian and earned 3% of the vote, or 3,440 votes.
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