Kevin Gavin
Essential Public Radio
Armstrong County Tea Party founder and former coal company owner Tom Smith emerged as the winner from a 5-member field for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.
With 99% of precincts counted across the commonwealth, Smith has 39% of the votes compared to Sam Rohrer’s 22%, Steven Welch with 21%, David Christian with 11% and Marc Scaringi’s 7%.
Smith will face Senator Bob Casey in the November election. Casey defeated Joseph Vodvarka, of Robinson Township, 80% to 20 for the Democratic nomination. Casey is seeking a second 6-year term.
Read more: http://www.essentialpublicradio.org/story/2012-04-24/polls-now-closed-pa-primary-10901