The race to replace Tom Tangretti is down to two candidates.

Democrat John Boyle will face Republican Tim Krieger in the general election in November to see who will replace the retiring Tangretti who has represented the 57th District for nearly 20 years.

With all of the precincts reporting, Boyle, 43, won 48 percent of the vote to beat challengers Roland "Bud" Mertz (34 percent) and Scott Sistek (18 percent).

Krieger faced no competition for the Republican nomination for the seat. He currently serves on the Delmont Civil Service Commission.

Boyle, a lawyer from Greensburg, had worked for U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-12) as a field representative.

"We sent a strong message that we wanted to continue the tradition of Tom Tangretti's work," Boyle said.

That tradition includes continuing to provide an independent voice in the state Leg-islature and working for the citizens of the 57th District, Boyle said.

Boyle said he was grateful for the people who came out to support him.

"Folks I've never met before were willing to work for us," he said.

Reducing the size of the Legislature and reforming health care will be among the issues Boyle hopes to tackle in Harrisburg.

Sistek, 49 serves as an aide to Tangretti. He had hoped to be the one to continue that work.

"We did the best we could," Sistek, who is a councilman for New Stanton, said. "It's up to the voters."

Mertz, 49, a former Greens-burg councilman, was satisfied with his campaign.

"It was a very rewarding campaign," he said.

Mertz and Sistek said they both plan to support Boyle in the November election.

"We need a good Democrat in this office," Mertz said.

Boyle said he is looking forward to facing Krieger.

"We will continue to deliver our message," Boyle said.

All results are unofficial until certified by the state election bureau.