Republicans went five for five in competitive state Senate races Tuesday, expanding their majority by 3 seats: 30 to 20.

All five races were targeted by both parties.

The significant swing exactly counteracts Democrats’ 3 seat pickup in 2012 and puts the party firmly in charge of the upper chamber.

Republicans took over three Democratic seats.

State Senator Tim Solobay fell to Republican Camera Bartolotta by 6 points in the Washington County-based 46th district.

Businessman Pat Stefano overcame state Rep. Deb Kula for the seat of retiring Sen. Rich Kasunic (D-Fayette), also by 6 points.

Republican State Rep. Mario Scavello lead attorney Mark Aurand by 18 points the newly drawn 40th district in Monroe and Northampton counties with 55% of precincts reporting. That district was moved from Allegheny County, displacing Sen. Jim Ferlo.

The GOP also defended several seats, most notably the 26th district where Sen. Ted Erickson (R-Delaware) is retiring. Delaware County Council President Tom McGarrigle beat labor leader John Kane by 4 points.

In the 6th district, Sen. Tommy Tomlinson lead challenger Kim Rose by more than 25 points with 45% of precincts reporting. Other eastern PA incumbents – Pat Browne, Stewart Greenleaf, Chuck McIlhinney, Bob Mensch and John Rafferty – won or were leading by similarly wide margins.

The next battle will be within the GOP, as conservative Republican Senators from central and western PA test a challenge to Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi of Delaware County.