A federal judge has upheld election results in Pennsylvania's 45th District senate race confirming Senator Jim Brewster's win over Nicole Ziccarelli.
The ruling upholds the decision to include more than 300 mail-in ballots lacking the required date on the outer envelope.
Brewster will be sworn in Wednesday in Harrisburg.
The Democrat, defeated Republican challenger Ziccarelli by 69 votes, but Ziccarelli challenged the result stating that some mail-in ballots without a date stamped on them should not have counted.
Republican lawmakers had refused to seat Brewster with the other elected senators on January 5, choosing to wait for the results of the final challenge.
Brewster told KDKA Radio's Lynne Hayes-Freeland that he and his team are focusing on the future.
"We're gonna move on and do the best we can to make everybody happy and find out what we can improve, what we need to do and be the senator that we've been for the last 10 years," he said.
Governor Tom Wolf released a statement applauding the decision by the court and reflected on the events that took place at the Capitol in Washington, DC.
"Today's court decision reaffirms that Sen. Brewster won the election. He received the most votes and the court dismissed his opponent's claims. Sen. Brewster must be sworn in to represent the 45th Senate District in the Pennsylvania State Senate.
"The tragic events of the past week are a reminder that democracy must be preserved for today and future generations. The voters decide elections, not powerful Harrisburg politicians. Our nation has been through too much pain and disruption for this shameful power grab to continue.
"Senate Republicans may not like the outcome of the election, but they cannot overturn the will of the people in western Pennsylvania or ignore court decisions. The people's ballots are counted, and the results are accurate. Refusing to seat Sen. Brewster and leaving the district without a voice would be unethical and undemocratic. The Senate Republicans have no choice. Sen. Brewster must be sworn in," said Wolf.
Senate Democratic Leader Jim Acosta released a statement about the ruling, stating "I want to thank Judge Ranjan for his thoughtful and well-reasoned decision on the merits of this case.
"My colleague Senator Brewster won more votes, affirmed that victory in state courts, and had it confirmed by the Pennsylvania Department of State. He's been declared the winner more times and in more ways than should be necessary, but I believe that the matter is now unequivocally settled. I look forward to Senator Brewster's swearing in ceremony and watching him take the oath of office I know he will faithfully abide every day of his service."
On the refusal to seat him, Brewster told KDKA Radio at the time "Sometimes when we do things, we have to take a step back and wonder how this will be viewed by the public."
