Lamb ousts Rothfus in battle of incumbents

UPDATE: (AP) Freshman Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb has ousted three-term Republican Rep. Keith Rothfus in the nation's only U.S. House race pitting two incumbents against each other.

Lamb beat Rothfus on Tuesday in the 17th District, in suburban Pittsburgh. The district was dramatically redrawn by the Supreme Court after it ruled Pennsylvania's congressional boundaries were unconstitutionally gerrymandered by Republicans in 2011.

The court eliminated a Republican advantage that Rothfus, a three-term congressman, once enjoyed in a district that had stretched some 100 miles from the Ohio border past Johnstown. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette once likened its shape to "a malnourished hammerhead shark winding through six counties."

Lamb won a special election in March to succeed resigned Republican Rep. Tim Murphy.

ORIGINAL STORY: It's a race unlike any other in the country, with opponents Democrat Conor Lamb and Republican Keith Rothfus already incumbent congressmen.

RELATED HEADLINE: Headed to the polls for the midterm elections? Here's what you need to know

Channel 11 saw Lamb, a Democratic representative, as he voted earlier Tuesday Mount Lebanon.  Lamb has only had his seat for several months after winning a special election in March.

It’s the recent redistricting that has pitted him against Rothfus, a Republican representative who has served three terms. Rothfus voted later Tuesday morning.

President Donald Trump has endorsed Rothfus but the latest polls have Lamb in the lead.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

CONTACT YOUR ELECTION OFFICIAL

ELECTION COMPLAINTS

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE APPS

INTERACTIVE RADAR

ELECTION RELATED HEADLINES:

• High voter turnout expected for midterm election Tuesday
• Midterm elections: How to avoid stress before, after Election Day
• Fights for US House seats in Pennsylvania closely watched
• VIDEO: What are Midterm Elections?
• DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts

Cox Media Group