U.S. Rep. Glenn “G.T.” Thompson easily beat Democratic challenger Susan Boser in the new 15th Congressional District, which includes the easternmost part of Butler County and all or part of 13 other counties.

With 93 percent of the votes tabulated, Thompson, 59, of Centre County, earned 142,453 votes compared to Boser's 64,409. He won 9,164 votes in Butler County, according to unofficial totals posted online by county election officials. Boser won 3,501.

The incumbent from the former 5th Congressional District handily beat Boser in every county in the new district, including Boser's home county of Indiana. Thompson took that county by a margin of 62 percent to 38 percent, which was Boser's highest percentage of all counties in the district.

“I am humbled by the support of each and every one of you,” Thompson told the crowd at his victory party in Clearfield County. “We have four new counties in the district and I am very appreciative of the warm welcome I have received and the friends we have made along the way in Butler, Armstrong, Indiana and Cambria.”

Thompson, who declared himself the winner Tuesday night with just more than 50 percent of the precincts counted, vowed to his constituents not to rest on his laurels.

“There are many challenges ahead and we must continue to work in a positive manner and keep this country on track,” he said. “Together I know we can continue to make a difference in the upcoming 116th Congress.”

He named a trained workforce, health care, expanding services for veterans and active duty troops, and the current plight of the district's dairy farmers among the issues he plans to tackle in Washington, D.C.

While Boser earned 32 percent of votes in Indiana County, her worst results were in Jefferson County, where she earned just 22 percent of the total votes, according to unofficial totals posted online by state election officials.

Boser said she was happy with the turnout she had, especially as a first-time politician who refused corporate PAC donations.

“In hindsight, I think we ran a really good race,” Boser said Tuesday night. “I don't have any regrets.”

The candidate, who is a social policy professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, said Tuesday night was not the time to ask if she will run again in the future.

“I'm going to have a glass of wine, enjoy my family this evening and take a break for a few days,” she said.

Boser's top issues were health care reform, economic development of the district and the environment.

She said the high voter turnout nationwide is encouraging.

“I love democracy and I think the turnout bodes well for all of us as a nation,” Boser said.

Boser heaped praise on her volunteers, who she said worked tirelessly.

The new 15th Congressional District was created as a result of the state being redistricted by the state Supreme Court after Gov. Tom Wolf and the General Assembly were unable to agree on new districts.

The district includes the easternmost section of Butler County plus Venango, Warren, Forest, Clearfield, Armstrong, Centre, Indiana, Cambria, McKean, Elk, Cameron, Jefferson and Clarion counties.

Thompson, who was elected in 2008, was the U.S. representative for the former 5th Congressional District.