Incumbent Daryl Metcalfe Tuesday defeated challenger Gordon Marburger in the race for the Republican nomination for 12th district of the state house.

Metcalfe unofficially received 7,870 votes, 59.68 percent, to 5,301, 40.20 percent, for Marburger.

Marburger came within 540 votes of Metcalfe as a write-in candidate two years ago, but did not come nearly as close this time.

Metcalfe of Cranberry Township has held his seat since 1998. He will go for a 10th term in office in the fall when he will face Democrat candidate Christian Rieger of Cranberry Township.

For a complete report see Wednesday’s Butler Eagle.