It appears state Rep. Jim Marshall will serve an eighth term in the 14th legislative district, according to unofficial election returns.

Marshall, a Republican, ran against newcomer Zachary Wilson, a Democrat who is an EMT and delivery driver from New Sewickley Township, Beaver County.

The 14th district covers Beaver County and Evans City, Harmony, Zelienople and Jackson and Lancaster townships in Butler County.

Marshall vanquished Wilson in every Butler County precinct in the district.

In the three Zelienople precincts, Marshall earned 1,198 votes to Wilson's 376.

Evans City voters favored Marshall by casting 553 votes for him to 174 for Wilson.

Lancaster Township voters heavily favored Marshall over Wilson, at 1,149 votes to 237.

Marshall also took Jackson Township, beating Wilson 1,629 votes to 366.

In Beaver County, Marshall earned 80% of all votes to Wilson's 20%.

“Based on the numbers that voted in person, I'm very happy with the results and grateful that the voters who did choose to vote in person have overwhelmingly supported me for reelection, and I will continue to serve with integrity and do my very best to represent the 14th district,” Marshall said late Tuesday.

He praised Wilson for his campaign and goals for the district.

“I met with Mr. Wilson today, and he seems like a very genuine, down-to-earth young man,” Marshall said. “He seems like he ran a good race.”

Marshall looks forward to serving the residents of his district in his eighth term.

“I haven't seen the provisional, military or mail-in ballots, but it looks pretty good so far,” he said. “I will continue to do my very best and will look forward to the future.”

Marshall initially was elected in 2006 and took office in 2007.

Marshall based his initial run for office on bringing more accountability to state government.

He is anti-abortion and advocates for Second Amendment rights, fiscal conservatism in government, and a balanced state budget.

The loss marked Wilson's first foray into the political arena.

Wilson, 25, ran on a platform of health care opportunities, education and community service.

“Thank you to everyone who supported me along the way,” Wilson said Tuesday night. “It's not the outcome I wanted, but Jim is a good man, and I wish him luck in the future.”

Wilson said running his first campaign during the coronavirus pandemic was a challenge, given social distancing and other protocols.

“No county fairs, no in-person events, no shaking hands,” he lamented.

Wilson would not commit to running again in two years when Marshall's new term expires, but he did not rule it out either.

The unofficial results from the race for the 14th district do not include more than 31,000 of mail-in ballots from Butler County, which the county elections bureau said would be tallied by tonight.