Allegheny County Republicans gathered for an election watch party Tuesday hosted by the Republican Committee of Allegheny County at the DoubleTree hotel in Green Tree. The night began with food, drinks and lively conversation, but quieted down as local Republicans began to lose close races.

Democrats won many contests for seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and State Senate, including in most of the districts that make up Allegheny County. As of 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, only Republican Jason Ortitay, who represents District 46 and ran unopposed, had secured a win. Republicans Rob Mercuri, Andrew Kuzma, Natalie Mihalek and Valerie Gaydos were leading their races for the 28th, 39th, 40th and 44th districts, respectively.

Jeremy Shaffer, the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District, arrived at the end of the night to deliver a brief speech conceding to Democrat Chris Deluzio.

“This isn’t the result we wanted, but we honor the results that are there,” Shaffer said. “We are going to be continuing working in our communities and trying to make a difference. This country is too important to give up on.”

GOP supporters mingled and ate food provided by the Republican Committee of Allegheny County as they waited for election results to roll in Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the DoubleTree hotel in Green Tree. (Emmalee Reed/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
Attendees watch one of many TVs showing election results coming in during an election night watch party hosted by the Republican Committee of Allegheny County on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the DoubleTree hotel in Green Tree. (Emmalee Reed/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
Republican Committee of Allegheny County Chair Sam DeMarco introduces Jeremy Shaffer and talks about the importance of mail-in ballots in upcoming elections late Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the DoubleTree hotel in Green Tree. “Our candidates over-performed on Election Day, but the poor results we had in some of these races was solely the result of the head start we’ve given the Democrats in the mail-in ballots,” DeMarco said. (Emmalee Reed/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
Supporters listen to Jeremy Schaffer’s concession speech late Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the DoubleTree hotel in Green Tree. (Emmalee Reed/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
Republican Jeremy Shaffer concedes to Democrat Chris Deluzio in the race for Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the DoubleTree hotel in Green Tree. “This isn’t the result we wanted, but we honor the results that are there,” Shaffer said. “We are going to be continuing working in our communities and trying to make a difference. This country is too important to give up on.” (Emmalee Reed/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
Supporters congratulate Jeremy Shaffer on a race well run after his concession speech Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the DoubleTree hotel in Green Tree. (Emmalee Reed/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
Republicans listen to Sam DeMarco’s closing remarks at the end of the election night watch party hosted by the Republican Committee of Allegheny County on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the DoubleTree hotel in Green Tree. (Emmalee Reed/Pittsburgh Union Progress)
Emmalee Reed