April 26, 2016
Source/Campaign photos
Montgomery County Commissioner's Chairman Josh Shapiro, left, won the Democratic nomination for state attorney general on Tuesday. He defeated challenges by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., center, and Northampton County District Attorney John M. Morganelli.
Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Josh Shapiro turned back a serious challenge from Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. in Tuesday's primary to capture the Democratic nomination for state attorney general.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Zappala announced he had contacted Shapiro and conceded the race just after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night. Post-Gazette reporter Paula Reed Ward tweeted that Zappala told supporters gathered at his post-election party that "We aren't going to win this race."
With nearly 68 percent of ballots counted in Pennsylvania, Shapiro had about 47 percent of the vote, eclipsing Zappala’s 37 percent and Northampton County District Attorney John M. Morganelli's 15 percent.
According to unofficial vote tallies, Shapiro had 612,256 votes, followed by 482,566 for Zappala and 204,073 for Morganelli.
Zappala: "we aren't going to win this race. We have too much ground to make up. M"
— Paula Reed Ward (@PaulaReedWard) April 27, 2016
On the Republican side, state Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr. had 63 percent, or 662,008 votes, while his challenger, Joseph C. Peters, had 36 percent, or 374,209 votes.
Shapiro will face off against Rafferty in the general election in November to replace embattled Attorney General Kathleen Kane, who did not seek re-election.
