Piccola hangs on in PA-15

State Sen. Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin) has seemingly held on to victory against Democrat Judy Hirsh in what turned into one of the most competitive races in the state.

The senator won 52 percent to 48 percent, or just about 5,000 votes, according to preliminary results.

The Piccola campaign told PolitickerPA.com just past midnight it thought it had made up an early defecit against Hirsh to defeat her.

It's a testament to the electorate's belief in Piccola's reform agenda and tax policies, said staffer Todd Nyquist, that he will return to Harrisburg despite having an election in a very Democratic year.

His victory locks up an impressive night for the Senate Republicans, who claimed wins in the 47th and 39th senatorial districts to push their edge in the Senate up one, 30-20.