HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -
Dauphin County Democrat Rob Teplitz will become the new state senator for the 15th district, the seat currently held by retiring Senator Jeff Piccola.
Piccola, a Republican, held the seat for 35 years. Teplitz is the first Democrat to be elected to the position in nearly 80 years.
Teplitz gave his victory speech Tuesday night shortly after receiving a congratulatory voicemail from Republican opponent John McNally.
Teplitz, who previously worked as general counsel for the state auditor general, said he looks forward to bringing a fresh perspective to the seat.
"We tried to run a campaign the way I'd like to serve as senator, a positive message and real solutions that will bring this community together," Teplitz said. "I think there was a hunger for that, a hunger for leadership and dialogue. I offered myself as someone who would do that and I think the public responded."
In his speech, Teplitz asked his constituents to keep him honest once he is sworn in, vowing to keep their interests - most importantly public education - at the forefront of his agenda.
He also said he is eager to get to work on Harrisburg's debt crisis, saying he will try to bring all parties to the table in order to find a solution with which everyone can live.
Rob and Randi Teplitz
