State Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, has won election to a second term representing the 82nd state House district in Centre County.
Takac defeated Republican challenger Therese Hollen, of Benner Township, by a margin of 52.2% (14,533 votes) to 47.8% (13,307) with 99% of votes counted. The Associated Press called the race for Takac at 3:17 p.m. Wednesday.
The 82nd district had been the lone legislative race representing Centre County still hanging in the balance while the county worked to rectify a software issue that delayed the reporting of thousands of mail ballot votes in the unofficial election results.
Takac had been leading before about 8,200 mail ballots were added to the county’s results on Wednesday afternoon, but held off on declaring victory to allow the ballots to be scanned and reported.
“I want to thank our Centre County commissioners, staff and every person who has dedicated countless hours both inside the polls and out to ensure that we have a free and fair election, and that every person’s vote is counted and voice is heard,” Takac said in a statement before the mail ballot additions on Wednesday. “Their diligence and dedication to the democratic process is immensely appreciated.”
The 82nd District includes State College (partial), Howard, Milesburg, Snow Shoe and Unionville boroughs, and Benner, Boggs, Burnside, College, Curtin, Harris, Howard, Liberty, Marion, Snow Shoe and Union townships.
Takac currently serves on the committees for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Education, Environmental Resources & Energy, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness and Tourism and Economic and Recreational Development. Prior to his election in 2022, he was a College Township Council member, chair of the Spring Creek Watershed Commission and worked in educational technology for three decades.
With Takac’s victory, incumbents won reelection in all three state House districts and the two state Senate districts representing Centre County.
State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, was elected to a 10th term in the 77th state House district, defeating Republican Marie Librizzi, of Ferguson Township, 60.8% to 31.2%.
In the 171st district, state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, ran unopposed and secured a 15th term in the House.
State Sen. Cris Dush, R-Pine Creek Township, defeated Clinton County Democrat William McGill by a margin of 67.9% to 32.1% to win a second term in the 25th state Senate district.
In the 35th district, state Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. ran unopposed and won a third term.
