LaGrotta race tally draws attention

Art Allen won the Democratic nod for the 50th senatorial district race.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Attorneys from the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus will come here later this week to watch the official tabulation of Tuesday's election results.
State Rep. Frank LaGrotta of Ellwood City said the state party asked to send attorneys after seeing that LaGrotta lost his bid for renomination by 29 votes.
LaGrotta has held the state representative's position in the 10th Legislative District for the past 20 years.
He was bested by Jaret Gibbons, a 25-year-old law student from Ellwood City.
"I'm not expecting miracles," LaGrotta said Wednesday.
LaGrotta said he has agreed not to concede the election until the official tabulation is complete. That process could take up to two weeks, said Lawrence County Elections Director Marlene Gabriel.
LaGrotta's district includes the southern end of Lawrence County and small portions of Beaver and Butler counties.
The longtime state lawmaker said he did not expect to lose and was fielding telephone calls all day Wednesday from supporters including U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, a Republican.
Whoever is declared the winner will face Republican Chuck Morse in the November election.
50th District race
In another hotly contested race, Art Allen of Jackson Township will be the Democratic nominee for the Senate in the 50th District, which includes Mercer, Lawrence, Butler and Crawford counties.
The race between Allen and Charles "Chaz" Rice of Sharpsville was too close to call on election night. Allen won by 69 votes, according to the unofficial tally.
Allen will face Republican incumbent Bob Robbins of Salem Township in the fall. Robbins ran unopposed in the primary election.
cioffi@vindy.com