Incumbents Win Reelection in Centre County State House Races

It was a clean sweep in Tuesday’s midterm election for incumbents seeking reelection to the three state House districts representing Centre County.

Democrats Scott Conklin (77th District) and Paul Takac (82nd District) and Republican Kerry Benninghoff (171st District) will each return to the state Capitol for another two years. All three races were called by the Associated Press on Tuesday night.

PA House – 77th District

State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, is headed back to Harrisburg for an 11th term after handily defeating Republican challenger Michelle Schellberg.

The Associated Press called the race at 9:55 p.m. Conklin had 11,706 votes (65.5%) to Schellberg’s 6,172 (34.5%) with 82% of ballots counted.

The 77th District includes part of State College and all of Philipsburg and Port Matilda boroughs and Ferguson, Halfmoon, Huston, Patton, Rush, Taylor and Worth townships.

First elected to the state House in 2006, Conklin currently chairs the Commerce Committee.

Prior to his time as a state legislator, Conklin was a Centre County commissioner for seven years and owned a carpentry business.

“From the day I was elected, I’ve said I don’t own this seat. This is the people’s voice 100%,” Conklin said during a September interview. “…This is a blessing. For as long as the citizens give me this opportunity and as long as I know I am capable and able to move forward, I thank them everyday because this is a gift to me. I get up loving to go to work… I enjoy when people stop me in the supermarket and tell me ‘Well I didn’t want to bother you but this is what is needed.’ That’ what I do. That’s what this job’s about. It’s not my seat to own. This is the people’s seat — just like it’s the people’s property at Rockview, just like it’s the people’s community… I will do everything in my power to listen and do what they ask of me.”

Watch Conklin’s C-NET election interview conducted by StateCollege.com editor Geoff Rushton.

PA House – 82nd District

State Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, defeated Republican Kirsten McTernan to win a third term in the House.

The AP called the race at 10:38 p.m. Takac had 10,147 votes (58.1%) to McTernan’s 7,316 (41.9%) with 85% of ballots counted.

The 82nd district includes part of State College along with all of Howard, Milesburg, Snow Shoe and Unionville boroughs, and Benner, Boggs, Burnside, College, Curtin, Harris, Howard, Liberty, Marion, Snow Shoe and Union townships.

“I’m so thankful for the support of my family, friends, staff, and volunteers throughout this entire campaign and I am grateful to be returning to Harrisburg for a third term representing the people of Centre County,” Takac said in a statement on Tuesday night. “I also want to thank our Centre County Commissioners, Elections Office staff and every person who dedicated countless hours both inside the polls and out to ensure a free and fair election, and that every person’s vote is counted and their voice is heard.”

Takac was first elected to the House in 2022 and currently is a member of the committees on Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Communications and Technology, Education, Environmental and Natural Resource Protection, Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development, and Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness.

Prior to his election to the General Assembly, he was a College Township Council member, chair of the Spring Creek Watershed Commission and worked in educational technology for three decades.

“Since being elected, I’ve worked hard to deliver for Centre County by cutting taxes, bringing back over $45 million dollars to the district, standing up for healthcare and public education, and keeping our communities safe,” Takac said. “I’ll keep advocating in Harrisburg for every community in the district and ensure that our region has the resources it needs to thrive.”

C-NET election interview conducted by StateCollege.com editor Geoff Rushton.

PA House – 171st District

State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, easily won election to 16th term in the House, beating Democratic first-time candidate John Zangari.

The Associated Press called the race at 10:15 p.m. Benninghoff had 14,443 votes (68.6%) to Zangari’s 6,604 (31.4%)

The 171st District covers parts of Centre and Mifflin counties. In Centre County, it includes Bellefonte, Centre Hall and Millheim boroughs and Gregg, Haines, Miles, Penn, Potter, Spring and Walker townships.

Prior to his first election as state representative in 1996, Benninghoff was elected to two terms as Centre County coroner in 1991 and 1995 after serving as deputy coroner for six years. He is currently the Republican chair of the Transportation Committee and serves on the Gaming Oversight Committee and Rules Committee.

“It is an honor of my lifetime to serve the people of Centre and Mifflin counties in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives,” Benninghoff said in announcing his reelection campaign earlier this year. “I want to continue to be an advocate for our community and the values we hold dear.

“The foundation of our form of government requires us to put people first, to truly listen to and respond to the needs of those we represent. I have been honored to carry the voice of our unique community to the halls of government in Harrisburg and would be honored to be able to continue to serve my friends, neighbors, and colleagues.”

State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, speaks at the 2026 Centre County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony outside of the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte. Photo by Geoff Rushton | StateCollege.com