Erie County voters are sending Republican State Senator Dan Laughlin back to Harrisburg for a third four year term.

It was a long night for Laughlin, his campaign team and supporters as they waited for the vote count to come in.

Early numbers showed Democratic challenger Jim Wertz leading, but as results from more precincts came in, Laughlin surged ahead, by about 11,000 votes.

Laughlin is proud of the additional funding he brought to Erie's Public Schools and his role in helping Erie apply for the CRIZ, also known as City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, which is expected to super charge development.

Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Jim Wertz spent election night, watching the results come in at the Feed Media Arts Center on 13th and State Street.

Around 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Wertz decided to concede.

Despite the outcome, Wertz remains optimistic about his campaign, and thanked the Erie community for his support.