Write-In Candidate Wins Special Election For PA Senate Seat
By Tony Romeo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A so-called "maverick" Republican made history and shook up the state Senate with his win in a special election for a York County seat this past week.
Described by the Associated Press as an "anti-establishment conservative activist," Scott Wagner – president of a waste hauling firm – is believed to be the first person in Pennsylvania ever to win a state Senate seat as a write-in candidate, easily beating the Democratic nominee and the Republican nominee backed by GOP power brokers.
After the election, Senate Appropriations Chair Jake Corman shrugged off a question about whether there was a message to party leadership in the outcome:
"I assume there is. But my concern is now we have a new member in the Senate, someone who I know and respect and I look forward to working with him."
Corman says Wagner's write-in win was "very impressive."
Wagner will serve the remainder of the term of a member who resigned in January, a term that ends this November.
