Ziccarelli holds slight lead in attempt to unseat Pa. Sen. Jim Brewster in race for 45th District
Republican challenger Nicole Ziccarelli maintained a slim lead over incumbent state Sen. Jim Brewster in a race for Pennsylvania’s 45th State Senate District, according to incomplete and unofficial election results.
Ziccarelli had received 50.67% of the 124,396 votes counted, leading Brewster by 1,658 votes.
Early election returns Tuesday night showed Brewster in the lead with 57% of the vote, but Ziccarelli surpassed him as votes were counted overnight. As of Wednesday afternoon she had 55% of the vote before Brewster began to regain ground.
Brewster, who couldn’t be reached for comment, said during the campaign that he thought the economy is tied to controlling the pandemic and reopening businesses. He touted his work on legislation to help businesses in a way that is mindful of containing the pandemic.
“We are very encouraged by the early returns and the numbers coming from the precincts and are eagerly awaiting Election Day ballots being posted online,” said Ben Wren, Ziccarelli’s campaign manager Tuesday night.
Wren didn’t respond to messages seeking further comment.
Brewster, 72, is seeking reelection to a third full term for the seat he has held since 2010. Prior to serving in the Senate, Brewster was mayor of McKeesport and served on council. He helped to shepherd McKeesport during the recession of 2008, he said during the campaign.
He said his experience in the banking industry and financial knowledge has helped him work effectively with budgetary issues.
Ziccarelli, 38, is a McKeesport native who lives in Lower Burrell. She has a New Kensington-based law practice.
Her campaign focused on economic development. She said she’d like to bring more industry into the district, particularly from the energy sector.
She said she’d like to do more to address early childhood education issues and increasing access to health care.
Ziccarelli served with the Pittsburgh Association for The Education of Young Children, now Trying Together.
The 45th District includes parts of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. It includes Plum, Arnold, Lower Burrell, New Kensington, Allegheny Township, East Vandergrift, Hyde Park, Vandergrift and West Leechburg in the Alle-Kiski Valley along with the Mon Valley.
Tom Davidson is a TribLive news editor. He has been a journalist in Western Pennsylvania for more than 25 years. He can be reached at tdavidson@triblive.com.
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