Blair County Commissioner John Eichelberger defeated incumbent State Senator and President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer for the Republican nomination for the 30th District seat.
The Republican race featured Eichelberger, Jubelirer and Huntingdon County businessman C. Arnold McClure.
Eichelberger received 45 percent of the vote in the district, according to information from the Associated Press. Jubelirer garnered 36 percent with McClure receiving 20 percent.
An Associated Press story reported Eichelberger said last year’s legislative pay raise provided voters with a window on “the real story in Harrisburg.”
“In my mind it was just indicative of how business is done there and once you understand that, then you can look at … all the things that these guys do on an every day basis that they really shouldn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’t be doing,” Eichelberger said.
This morning, Eichelberger told The Daily Herald the outcome was part of a “reform movement.”
Eichelberger said, “That was my message that connected with people. They understand that we need this change in Harrisburg and we’ve lost control of government and we need to get it back.”
He also cited “negativity” by Senator Jubelirer that created “a double whammy” for the incumbent’s campaign.
The AP reported Jubelirer, who was first elected to the Senate in 1974, said the pay raise was a catalyst in his loss. But he also blamed voter frustration over issues such as the Iraq war, gas prices and immigration.
“It\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’s everything,” he said. “They took it out on incumbents.”
“I only hope that as we move forward that the change that people have clearly spoken out tonight is a positive change,” Jubelirer said.
McClure told The Daily Herald this morning, he was “glad” about the results.
He said, “I got into the race because of the arrogance and the elitism in Harrisburg and this morning it is gone. I feel pretty good about that.”
He said the results were about what he expected. He called the campaign “a great experience” and said he was “treated wonderfully” everywhere he went.
In Blair County, Eichelberger received 9,732 votes, Jubelirer garnered 6,733 while McClure had 3,127 ballots cast in his favor. In Huntingdon County, McClure was the leading vote getter with 2,638 votes. Eichelberger had 2,107 votes with Jubelirer receiving 1,972 votes.
Locally, Eichelberger had the most votes in Tyrone, Antis Township, Bellwood and Warriors Mark while Jubelirer carried Snyder Township.
Eichelberger will face off against Democratic nominee Greg Morris in November. Eichelberger said he had “a good relationship” with Morris. He said he planned “a positive campaign” and expected to talk about the issues.
The 30th State Senate District encompasses Blair, Huntingdon, Bedford, Fulton and a small portion of Mifflin County.
In other local races, Mike Fleck gained the Republican nomination for the 81st District seat in the State House. He defeated three challengers in the race. The Democratic nomination went to Roy E. Thomas. He ran unopposed. Fleck and Thomas will square off in November for the seat being vacated by retiring State Representative Larry Sather. The 81st District includes Huntingdon County and portions of Blair County.
In the 80th District, State Rep. Jerry Stern was unopposed. Congressman Bill Shuster won the Republican nomination in the Ninth Congressional District.
Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this story.
