ELECTION UPDATE | Dem Tom Wolf retains governor's seat in Pa.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)

Tom Wolf won a second term as Pennsylvania governor on Tuesday, beating brash Republican challenger Scott Wagner and sending the Democrat back for another four years to share power with a GOP-controlled Legislature.

Wolf has said he will continue advancing his first-term priorities, including trying to fix funding inequities in public schools and seeking to impose a severance tax on the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry. But he will be up against Republican lawmakers who fought two extended budget battles with him, blocked many of his top priorities and forced him to lower his expectations.

Even so, Wolf’s re-election will give Democrats a seat at the table for the first time in 30 years when Pennsylvania draws a new map of congressional districts after the 2020 Census.

Wolf, speaking to supporters in York on Tuesday night, said Pennsylvanians voted for a state “that has a really bright future” and “for a public service that actually has integrity, that you can trust.”

In brief remarks, Wolf said people had voted for better lives, better schools, a strong economy, access to quality and affordable health care and a fairer Pennsylvania for everyone, regardless of race, gender or religion.

“I’m proud of what we’ve already done together,” Wolf said. “But four years ago I stood before you and said, ‘You know, we have a lot of work to do, so let’s get started.’ Tonight, I have basically the same message: We still have a lot of work to do. So let’s back to work, all right?”