Richard Goldinger, center, talks with his supporters at the Hardwood Cafe in Penn Township on Tuesday evening, Nov. 7. Laura Welsh/Special to the Butler Eagle

Republican District Attorney Richard Goldinger won his fifth term in office by a more than 15% margin over Independent challenger Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election.

Facing his first challenger in a general election since he was first elected in 2007, Goldinger received 27,730 votes, or 58%, to defeat Gilliland Vanasdale, who received 19,770 votes, or 41%, according to unofficial results.

Goldinger said he is thankful to be elected to serve another term in office.

“I thank the voters of Butler County for electing me again as their district attorney,” Goldinger said Tuesday night. “I am honored and proud to be able to serve them again for four more years.

“I thank all of my supporters who helped me to get reelected.”

An attorney since 1995, Goldinger was a member of teams that created the county’s specialty courts, which include Drug Treatment Court, Veterans Court and Behavioral Health Court.

In his first election, Goldinger unseated Democratic incumbent Randa Clark by garnering 57% of the votes. He then retained the office, running unchallenged in the 2011, 2015 and 2019 elections.

Goldinger ran uncontested in the Republican primary in May. No Democratic candidates entered the primary, but Gilliland Vanasdale launched a campaign in the summer as an Independent candidate.

Gilliland Vanasdale is an attorney, manager and founding member of the Gilliland Vanasdale Sinatra Istik Law Offices in Butler and Cranberry Township.

This was Gilliland Vanasdale’s third run for public office. In 2019, she ran for county Common Pleas Court judge, cross-filing in the primary along with three other candidates for the job. Most recently, she ran for the same judgeship in 2021 — in that instance as an Independent in the general election to fill what was an open seat.

Gilliland Vanasdale graduated from Duquesne University School of Law in 2001, taking evening and summer classes while working full time for Nationwide Insurance in Butler.

Richard Goldinger’s supporters gathered Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Hardwood Cafe to watch the results of the general election. Laura Welsh/Special to the Butler Eagle

Richard Goldinger, center, talks with his supporters at the Hardwood Cafe in Penn Township on Tuesday evening, Nov. 7. Laura Welsh/Special to the Butler Eagle

Richard Goldinger talks with his family, friends and supporters at the Hardwood Cafe in Penn Township on Tuesday evening, Nov. 7. Laura Welsh/Special to the Eagle

Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale watches for race results in her office in Butler on Tuesday evening. Laura Welsh/Special to the Eagle

Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale and her family and friends wait for the poll results at her office in Butler on Tuesday evening. Laura Welsh/Special to the Eagle

Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale watches as poll results start to roll in at her office in Butler on Tuesday evening. Laura Welsh/Special to the Eagle

Jennifer Gilliland Vanasdale and her supporters watch for results from the polls at her office in Butler on Tuesday evening. Laura Welsh/Special to the Eagle