Dan Goughnour, captain of the detective unit for the McKeesport Police Department, has a new title tonight – State Representative.

The 39-year-old Democrat handily defeated Republican Charles ‘Chuck’ Davis, 63-35%, to keep the seat won by the late Matt Gergely firmly in blue hands and allows state Democrats to remain in the majority by a single seat in Harrisburg.

The Mon Valley 35th district is a largely Democrat region with a nearly 2-to-1 voter registration advantage. Gergely won the seat in a special election in 2023 by a 75-25% margin, and former Vice President Kamala Harris won the district by double digits last fall.

After the House race was called, Goughnour told the Associated Press, “It’s overwhelming, but I feel good.” He said his goal was to “maintain common sense in Harrisburg” and give his district a strong voice.

Davis offered his congratulations to his opponent.

“Though we came up short, I’m hopeful Dan will address the real challenges our district faces – crime, job loss, high taxes, and blight. Thank you to all who supported me in this race. This isn’t farewell – but a step in another direction for the moment.”

Goughnour built a commanding 2,000-vote lead through mail balloting and picked up an additional 1,100 votes on Election Day.

“After serving his community for years as a police officer and local school board member, now Dan Goughnour will fight for families in the Pennsylvania state House,” said DNC Chair Ken Martin in a statement. “Rep.-elect Goughnour’s victory not only ensures Pennsylvanians living in the 35th district have a committed representative in the state legislature – it secures the House majority for Pennsylvania Democrats so that they can stand up to Trump’s mayhem in Washington, defend Governor Josh Shapiro from constitutional amendments to bypass him in the legislature, and continue to expand job opportunities, strengthen schools, and create safe communities in Pennsylvania. Expanding the Democratic Party begins in the states and down-ballot wins like Rep.-elect Goughnour’s offer a powerful rebuke of Trump and Elon Musk’s MAGA agenda.”

“Dan Goughnour’s win builds on the DLCC’s victories in special elections in 2025 and secures the Democratic majority needed to protect Pennsylvanians from the chaos and extremism of Trump and his state Republican minions,” said Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams in a statement. “Our win tonight builds on the growing enthusiasm we’re seeing across the country in local and state races. While we celebrate this victory, control of the Pennsylvania House still hinges on a single seat. The DLCC will continue to seize every opportunity to protect our hard-won power in this competitive chamber and bolster Democrats in all of our competitive and consequential special elections this year.”

Corey O’Connor, Pittsburgh city controller and Democratic candidate for mayor, also congratulated Goughnour, saying “His win means that the Democrats fighting for us in Harrisburg will keep their majority in the House.”

Since 2023, there have been 10 special elections to fill seats in Harrisburg and with Democrats holding the slightest of majorities over Republicans in the chamber. Democrats have won all 10.