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York Springs Today
By the People, for the People
Pa. House Republicans Hold Key Seats in Special Elections
GOP retains control of two state House districts in Adams/Cumberland and Blair counties.
Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:04am
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Pennsylvania Republicans held on to two state House seats in special elections on Tuesday, keeping them within striking range of majority control in the 203-member state House. Catherine Wallen won the 193rd House District covering parts of Adams and Cumberland counties, while Andrea Verobish prevailed in the Altoona-based 79th House District in Blair County.
Why it matters
The results were critical for the GOP, which badly needed the wins after Democrats held serve in two other recent special elections to retain their slim 102-100 majority in the state House. Both parties are gearing up for a fierce battle to control the chamber in the November general election.
The details
In the 193rd District, Wallen, a former district director for the lawmaker she is replacing, scored a 59.7% to 40.3% victory over Todd Crawley. In the 79th District, Verobish, a district staff member for U.S. Rep. Glenn 'G.T.' Thompson, won by a 57.4% to 42.6% margin over Caleb McCoy. Both winning Republicans are expected to face their Democratic opponents again in the November general election.
- The special elections were held on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
- The last remaining state House vacancy, created by the resignation of Rep. Seth Grove, R-York County, will be filled on primary election day, May 19, 2026.
The players
Catherine Wallen
The Republican winner of the 193rd state House district covering parts of Adams and Cumberland counties. She is a former district director for the lawmaker she is replacing.
Andrea Verobish
The Republican winner of the 79th state House district in Blair County. She is a district staff member for U.S. Rep. Glenn 'G.T.' Thompson.
Todd Crawley
The Democratic candidate who lost to Catherine Wallen in the 193rd state House district.
Caleb McCoy
The Democratic candidate who lost to Andrea Verobish in the 79th state House district.
What’s next
The last remaining state House vacancy, created by the resignation of Rep. Seth Grove, R-York County, will be filled on primary election day, May 19, 2026.
The takeaway
The special election results in the 193rd and 79th state House districts were critical for Pennsylvania Republicans, who were able to hold on to two key seats and keep themselves within striking distance of regaining majority control of the state House in the November general election.
