U.S. Rep. Tom Marino cruised to victory over Democrat Phil Scollo in the 10th Congressional District.
The Republican congressman, who is wrapping up his first term after ousting Democrat Chris Carney in 2010, received 168,024 votes, or 66 percent, to Mr. Scollo's 87,096 votes, or 34 percent, with 98.82 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday night.
"I want to make sure everybody knows I appreciate so much what they've done for me," Mr. Marino said after learning Mr. Scollo had conceded the race. "I'm going back to Washington with a message - get this debt under control, cut this spending and lower taxes, particularly for the middle class. And that, in turn, will create jobs."
Mr. Scollo, a self-employed insurance industry consultant and former chairman of the Pike County Democratic Party, tried to derail the Marino campaign with a series of attacks, including on the congressman's vote for a defense appropriations bill that would cut funding for work done at Tobyhanna Army Depot in Monroe County.
Mr. Marino, a former Lycoming County district attorney and U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, said he was assured the money would be restored.
Mr. Scollo criticized the vote, characterizing it as part of a "reckless pattern of voting" and one that could hurt jobs at the depot, one of the largest employers in Northeast Pennsylvania.
After conceding, Mr. Scollo said he was "overwhelmed with gratitude" by the support he received.
"We got a late start," he said. "That said, it's amazing the amount of momentum we were able to create under our own steam. We fought very hard."
The candidates are from opposite ends of the district.
Mr. Scollo is from Dingman Twp., Pike County. Mr. Marino grew up in the Williamsport area.
The district, which for three decades was represented by Joe McDade, stretches as far west as Williamsport and as far east as the Delaware River in Wayne and Pike counties.
The seat has switched hands several times since Mr. McDade's retirement in 1999. Mr. Carney ended decades of Republican dominance in the 10th after beating Don Sherwood, though he served only two terms..
In interviews, Mr. Marino said he wants to reduce the size of the departments of Energy and Education because he believes neither is achieving its mission. Mr. Marino also called for reducing the size of the federal government by 25 percent.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives serve two-year terms. Rank-and-file congressmen, like Mr. Marino, will earn a salary of about $174,000 this year.
Contact the writer: smcconnell@timesshamrock.com, @smcconnellTT on Twitter
10TH Congressional District
ââTom Marino (R) 168,024
Phil Scollo (D) 87,096