May 18, 2006 By Jenny Susa 3 min read

After winning the Democratic nomination Tuesday night, state Rep. Ted Harhai (D-Monessen) will face Republican challenger Pete McConnell of Rostraver Township in November’s General Election in a race to represent the 58th District. Harhai beat Democratic opponents Bernard Sarra of Monessen, and Jodie Goughnour of North Huntingdon Township, in both Westmoreland and Fayette counties.

In Westmoreland County, Harhai received 63.95 percent of the votes, according to unofficial results that showed Harhai received a total of 4,982 votes in the county.

Sarra followed with 27.27 percent of the votes, with 2,124, and Goughnour trailed with 8.78 percent of the votes, with 684.

McConnell, the only candidate on the Republican ticket, received 1,888 votes in Westmoreland County.

In Fayette County, unofficial results showed that Harhai got 73 percent of the votes, with a total of 386, followed by Sarra, who got 23 percent of the votes with 121. Goughnour received five percent of the votes with a total of 24 votes in the county. McConnell received 83 votes in Fayette County.

The 58th District in Westmoreland County includes Adamsburg, Arona, parts of East Huntingdon Township, parts of Hempfield Township, Madison, Manor Borough, Monessen, North Belle Vernon, parts of North Huntingdon Township, Smithton, Rostraver Township, Sewickly Township, South Huntingdon Township, Sutersville and West Newton. In Fayette County, the 58th District includes Belle Vernon, Fayette City and parts of Washington Township.

“I’m very pleased with the outcome,” said Harhai. “We formulated a plan and it worked well. Most people realized that I have done a good job.”

Harhai said the pay raise that legislators passed had been a big issue, and people were aware that he was against it and did not choose to accept a pay increase.

He commented that during the campaign, it was a concern that some people were determined not to vote for an incumbent, and he believed that his opponents tried to falsely represent his character.

“This was the most deceitful campaign against me since I have been in office and I did not like that,” said Harhai. “I have always run a clean campaign and will continue to do so.”

Harhai said that he was pleased to have won the nomination in every precinct, and he feels confident about the general election.

“You have to be concerned during any election, but I feel pretty good about it,” said Harhai.

He thanked his supporters and everyone who worked with him to make the campaign successful.

Sarra said he was disappointed that the district’s voters did not recognize that change was needed.

“There was a very low turnout,” said Sarra. “I don’t think that people wanted change because they did not vote for change.”

McConnell and Goughnour were unavailable for comment.