Democrat surprisingly winning Butler PA House seat

Tuesday's special election for the 12th state House District seat was decided by 88 votes.

Democrat Brandon Dukes will serve what remains of Republican Stephenie Scialabba's term.

She resigned in March.

Dukes slipped by GOP candidate Scott Timko in an election with 32% turnout.

About 53 percent of the district’s residents in southwestern Butler County are registered Republicans.

30 percent are Democrats.

Both candidates will run for a new term in November's general election.

If officially declared the winner, Dukes will take over a district that President Donald Trump won by 18 points in 2024.

Political expert Jon Delano tells KDKA Radio it’s hard to tell if the result of Tuesday is a “fluke” for Democrats or a “canary in a coalmine” moment for Republicans with November’s mid-term elections approaching.