Democrats will keep their majority control of the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives next year after holding onto a Johnstown area seat.

Democrats retained control of the chamber 102-101 by holding onto a western Pennsylvania district, giving them just enough votes to keep the speakership and determine the chamber's voting agenda. Republicans' hopes of returning to control the chamber were dashed after two years in the minority.

Republicans have knocked off Democrats in two perennially contested U.S. House seats in eastern Pennsylvania while U.S. Rep. Scott Perry has survived a challenge in southern Pennsylvania

McCormick’s projected victory marks a pivotal moment for the Republican Party, solidifying their gains in what was one of the nation’s most expensive Senate races and giving them a significant foothold in Pennsylvania, a state that has long been a key battleground in national elections.

Republican Dave McCormick defeated incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey in Pennsylvania’s Senate race, The Associated Press projected, marking the 53rd Senate seat Republicans have captured in winning back the majority.