Republican Catherine Wallen defeated Democratic challenger Todd Crawley to win a special election in the 193rd Legislative District on Tuesday night.

Upon certification of the votes, Wallen will be sworn in to fill out the remainder of Torren Ecker’s term representing Adams and Cumberland County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

The former district director for Ecker and owner of Orchard Views LLC, Wallen received 59.5 percent of the vote to 40.1 percent for Crawley, an environmental health and safety professional. It was expected that the GOP would retain the seat as Republicans held a 60-24 registration edge in the district.

Combined with the victory by Republican Andrea Verobish in the 79th Legislative District, Democrats continue to hold the majority by a 102-100 count. A fifth and final special election will be held on May 19 to fill the seat vacated by Republican Seth Grove in the 196th District.

“Tonight, House Republicans claimed important victories in two open seats, demonstrating the success of our message and the strength of our candidates,” said House Republican Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton). 

“I want to extend my sincere congratulations to Representative-elect Andrea Verobish (HD-79) and Representative-elect Catherine Wallen (HD-193) in winning their races with a focused message, disciplined campaign, and a united Republican Party behind them. 

“Mark my words: House Republicans will continue to carry our message of lowering taxes, fighting for families, and unleashing the economic potential of every corner of this Commonwealth. We will execute a winning strategy marked by a vision of a hopeful future in this year’s elections that will lead to a new Republican Majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.”

The 193rd Legislative District comprises the boroughs of Abbottstown, Arendtsville, Bendersville, Biglerville, East Berlin, New Oxford and York Springs as well as the townships of Berwick, Butler, Hamilton, Huntington, Latimore, Menallen, Oxford, Reading and Tyrone in Adams County.

The Cumberland county portion of Shippensburg borough and the Cumberland County townships of Cooke, Dickinson, Penn, Shippensburg, South Newton and Southampton also are in the district.