CLARION CO., Pa. (EYT) — Five-term incumbent State Representative Donna Oberlander easily defeated Democratic newcomer Conrad Warner on Tuesday to claim a sixth term in the Pennsylvania Legislature representing the 63rd District.
With all but Jenks Township in Forest County reporting, Oberlander had received 73 percent of the vote to 26.9 percent for Warner. That included 69.62 percent in Clarion County, where 45 percent of all ballots casts were cast “straight party” including 4,799 for Republicans, 1,558 for Democrats, eight for Green Party, and 17 for Libertarian Party.
Oberlander received a total of 14,608 votes, including 4,697 in Armstrong County, with Warner garnering 5,393 votes, including 1,103 in Armstrong County.
Barring a huge difference in Jenks Township, the final percentages will be slightly less than what Oberlander received in her win over Democrat Joe Billotte two years ago when she took 75.64 percent of the vote to Billotte’s 24.36 percent. Oberlander received 19,533 votes that year.
The House Republican Caucus Secretary during the current term, Oberlander, who was just selected for a third term on the Clarion University Board of Trustees in October, was recently honored as the Rural Health Legislator of the Year. Her campaign focused on her experience as a representative as well as a small businessperson. She noted she has fought taxes and regulation in an attempt to keep viable jobs in the region. She was billed by her campaign as a fiscal conservative, pro-life, Second Amendment supporter.
Warner, a teacher at Keystone Junior/Senior High School, didn’t even file for the Democratic nomination in the spring primary but won a write-in campaign over Obenrader for the Democratic nod.
He was an active campaigner claiming to have knocked on over 2,500 doors in the district.
Warner ran a campaign focused on creating growth and opportunities with the district through infrastructure development. He also ran on ensuring more and fairer state funding for public schools and an equitable, transparent tax system. Like Oberlander, he ran as a pro-life, pro-Second Amendment supporter.
