Robert Lee James is the projected winner for the 64th district in the state's House of Representatives.

Election results are unofficial and do not include all mail-in ballots, but so far, 2,085 people have voted for him.

Michael Bagdes-Canning ran against James as a Green Party candidate, gaining 307 votes. The results do not include mail-in ballots as of Tuesday night. Bagdes-Canning, a retired teacher from Cherry Valley, said he ran a grassroots campaign on a platform against corporate spending and fracking.

In 2016, Bagdes-Canning also tried to unseat James but lost to the incumbent with less than 3% of the vote.

“Naturally everyone likes to win,” James said. “I think what the constituents up here recognized is that I'm working for them. My opponent wanted to shut down fracking and people here owe their livelihood to it either directly or indirectly.”

James first assumed office in 2013. Before that, the seat was held by Scott Hutchinson. The district covers Butler and Venango counties.

James earned his bachelor in economics from Clarion University in 1974 and his MBA from Clarion University in 1983. His professional experience includes working as a financial consultant.

James served in U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1972.

James said that he is committed to ending precautionary measures Gov. Tom Wolf enacted to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. “I have consistently in my capacity tried to convince the administration in Harrisburg that the closure of businesses across PA is ruining our economy quite frankly,” James said.

He argued that people are smart enough to wear masks around others and to keep their distance and that people with symptoms will have the sense to stay home.

“We don't need a tyrant to tell us to do that every day,” James said.

After the 2016 election, Bagdes-Canning said he decided to run again because he didn't want James to run opposed and that there was no Democratic candidate.

“This district is a result of extreme party gerrymandering,” Bagdes-Canning said. “I thought this isn't the way elections should be. I'm an old retired guy. I've got a broad network of friends, and we were able to raise enough money to run a decent campaign.

“I know that our message resonated with people,” Bagdes-Canning said, noting that he spent election day speaking with voters.

Bagdes-Canning said that “for 40 years we've hemorrhaged jobs and young people. I felt like this is a corruption issue. We have politicians who are taking money from corporations and not doing anything for the people.”