Republican Fred Keller captured the 12th Congressional District’s seat with a convincing victory over Democrat Marc Friedenberg Tuesday.

Keller’s win means Republicans will continue to hold on to the House seat.

The special election between the two candidates was needed to fill a vacancy created with the resignation earlier this year from Congress by Tom Marino, a Cogan Station Republican and former Lycoming County District Attorney.

Friedenberg, a Penn State University professor, faced the daunting task of defeating Keller, a member of the state House from Kreamer, in the mostly rural district with a considerable Republican majority.

According to unofficial results, Keller lost only Centre County, where Friedenberg resides.

With nearly 96 percent of precincts across the region reporting, vote totals were Keller, 86,604, and Friedenberg, 40,061.

In Lycoming County, Keller picked up 73.6% of the vote. Vote totals in the county were 20,465 for Keller and 7,280 for Friedenberg.

On the eve of the primary, President Donald Trump made a late campaign appearance in Montoursville on behalf of Keller.

Keller grabbed 77.5% of the votes in Juniata County, 73.5% in Northumberland County. He also received 66.9% of the votes in Union County and 62.6% in Clinton County.

Neither candidate could be reached for comment late Tuesday night.