U.S. Rep. Murphy Defeats Feinberg in GOP Race

Five-time Republican incumbent is on his way to a sixth term as representative of the 18th Congressional District.

Murphy won a place on the ballot over challenger Peters Township native .

Murphy will face Democrat Larry Maggi of Washington County in the November general election. Maggi currently serves as a Washington County commissioner.

“We have so many good people here, I want to thank everybody,” Murphy said to supporters at Clarion Hotel in Green Tree on Tuesday evening. “What an army of people we had out there who were working hard all the time. It’s time for me to be grateful land thank all of you.”

The November election will focus on representing the people of the district and letting them know they have a voice with him, Murphy said.

“It’s not about any county or any one area, it’s about the people all over the district,” Murphy said. “They all have the right to be heard and represented and I want to give them that voice. We have a very diverse population in this area and we want to make sure they’re all heard.”

Murphy said he’s had the opportunity to meet and work with people through the district over the past few years, and that he considers it an honor to represent them.

His supporters at the Clarion Hotel in Green Tree on Tuesday evening were pleased with the results. Steve Fischer, who works for the office of Washington County District Attorney Gene Vittali, said Murphy has represented the district well.

“It’s not a surprise,” Fischer said. “Murphy has made an excellent case for why he should continue to be our representative, and it has showed in the polls. He has worked very closely and has done a very good job for us.”

Murphy was challenged in the primary by Feinberg, 28, a Peters Township native and a current resident of Upper St. Clair.

Feinberg said he fought long and hard for the position.

"Running for Congress is not an easy thing for someone who is not part of the establishment," he said. "What was easy was speaking from the heart and pursuading people that the things that make America great are the solutions to the country's problems."

Feinberg said his 11-month-old son, Luke, was one of the key issues of the campaign. 

"Luke was the star of the campaign," he said. "A lot of people were giving me a thumbs up at the polls. They said they were voting for Luke's dad. His future is the most important thing. Are we going to leave Luke a country of fiscal greatness, or a lesser quality of life? If Murphy is our leader, we're going to have a difficult time."

Feinberg said he and his wife are going to discuss what's next now. 

"God's got exciting things for us," he said. "We'll be talking and praying and searching for what's next. 

"I appreciate all of the people of western PA who got excited about my campaign. I thank all the volunteers who knocked on doors and spread the word. It's a truly humbling and awesome experience to have so many people believe in me."

Feinberg's campaign manager Michael Lyons chimed in. 

"None of this would have been possible without the people of southwestern PA,” he said. “It’s been a great few months and a pleasure to be a part of this ride. We thank everyone who helped us along the way.”