NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA — Unofficial results from the Tuesday, Nov. 3 elections have challenger Brian Wrightston, a Democrat, leading over incumbent Senator Rosemary Brown, a Republican, in Pennsylvania's 40th State Senate District. SD-40 includes Lackawanna, Monroe and Wayne Counties. 

Elsewhere in Wayne and Pike Counties, both Democratic and Republican state legislators held on to their seats, with unofficial results showing the incumbents leading with large margins in the 20th Senate District and House Districts 111, 139 and 189. 

Brown v. Wrightston

Brown was first elected to her post in 2022, after serving since 2010 in the house of representatives. This year in particular, she had positioned herself as a leading voice on data centers, calling for a statewide moratorium and saying, "I do not support economic development at the expense of our residents or their quality of life."

Wrightston, her challenger, comes from a professional career in telecommunications, technology, emergency management, public safety, education and economic development. 

Unofficial results show Wrightston with 51.43% of the vote, or 50,072 total ballots cast. They show Brown with 48.57%, or 47,283 total votes cast. 

In a Facebook post following the election, Wrightston wrote, "NEPA, I am honored to have been elected as your Senator and when I get to Harrisburg, I will always have your back. Let's get to work."

The 40th State Senate District was one of the districts Democrats eyed to flip as they sought trifecta control of Pennsylvania's state government. Democrats previously controlled the state house and the Governor's office, while Republicans maintained a majority in the state senate. According to reporting from Spotlight PA, while not all races have yet been called, Pennsylvania State Democrats have declared victory in that senate contest. 

A good night for incumbents

Apart from the race in the 40th State Senate District, incumbent state legislators generally had a good night in Wayne and Pike counties. 

Incumbent Republican Senator Lisa Baker (SD-20) leads over Democratic challenger Jackie Baker. The incumbent Baker has 61.52% of the vote in the unofficial results; the challenging Baker has 38.48%. 

In the 111th State House District, incumbent Republican Representative Jonathan Fritz leads over Democratic challenger Kyle Devlin. Fritz has 70.31% of the vote in the unofficial results; Devlin has 29.69%. 

In the 139th State House District, incumbent Republican Representative Jeff Olsommer leads over Democratic challenger Dominique Azzollini. Olsommer has 63.65% of the vote in the unofficial results; Azzollini has 36.35%. 

And in the 189th State House District, Democratic incumbent Representative Tarah Probst leads over Republican challenger Danica Hartenfels. Probst has 64.55% of the vote in the unofficial results; Hartenfels has 35.45%. 

All numbers are taken from https://www.electionreturns.pa.gov and are accurate as of 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4. All numbers are unofficial and subject to change as the results of the election are certified.