Jaret Gibbons

The 10th District state House seat remained in Democratic control Tuesday.

Freshman Democrat incumbent Jaret Gibbons of Ellwood City defeated Republican challenger Bob Morabito.

The district covers two municipalities in Butler County — Slippery Rock and Slippery Rock Township — and parts of Lawrence and Beaver counties.

Unofficial vote totals in Butler County showed Gibbons with 2,183 votes and Morabito with 1,547. In Beaver County, Gibbons received 4,263 votes and Morabito received 3,943.

Vote totals in the race weren't complete for Lawrence County by late evening, but with 72 of 106 precincts reporting, Gibbons had 2,849 votes and Morabito had 1,821. Representatives at the Lawrence County Election Bureau said they were experiencing computer problems during the evening. Results that were available came from the Pennsylvania Department of State Web site.

Gibbons said he appreciated the support of his constituents.

"Voters of the district think at least that I'm doing a good job," Gibbons said.

"I got a good start in the first two years," he said. "I still plan to work on key issues like health care, infrastructure, government, and others."

"I'm still as strong and energetic as the first day," he said.

Gibbons, 28, is a first-term Democratic representative who upset 10-term Rep. Frank LaGrotta in the 2006 Democratic primary. He was elected that fall.

He is a member of the commerce, finance, labor relations and state government committees.

Among his other goals, Gibbons said he would work to lower business taxes. Creating a more business-friendly environment statewide and closing corporate tax loopholes are two ideals that go along with that, according to Gibbons.

Gibbons also listed campaign finance reform as a goal as well as banning bonuses for state government staff. In addition, he hopes to promote the cost of living adjustment for state retirees.

Gibbons graduated from Duquesne University earning a bachelor's degree in political science and business administration in 2003 and then earned a law degree in 2006 from the University of Pittsburgh.

During his time at Duquesne University, he served as editor-in-chief of the legal journal the Pittsburgh Tax Review.

Gibbons was recently married to his wife, Jennifer.

Morabito said it was too early to say his future plans, but he was happy that he ran.

"I'm very proud and honored to try to win the seat,"he said.

Morabito, 54, was a naval engineer and officer from 1981 to 2001. He returned to Ellwood City to create a JROTC program at Penn Hills High School in Allegheny County, and continues to operate it.

The 10th district also covers Economy and Franklin, Marion, New Sewickley and North Sewickley townships in Beaver County; and Perry, Plain Grove, Scott, Shenango, Slippery Rock, Taylor, Wayne townships and Ellport, Ellwood City, New Beaver, South New Castle and Wampum in Lawrence County.