Former state Rep. David Argall advanced to the state Senate after winning a special election on Tuesday, March 3 for the vacant seat in the 29th Senatorial District.

Argall was endorsed by ChamberPAC, the political arm of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

Argall had represented Berks and Schuylkill counties in the state House of Representatives since 1985. He faced Democrat Steve Lukach in the special election to fill the vacant Senate seat held by the late Sen. James Rhoades.

Argall captured nearly 60 percent of the vote, winning all six counties in the 29th District: Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill.

"Representative Argall's election to the state Senate is a natural extension of his more than two decades of public service representing residents of the 124th District in the House of Representatives," said Gene Barr, PA Chamber vice president of government and public affairs, in an endorsement release sent earlier this month by the chamber.

Barr said Argall understands the concerns of job creators and has voted consistently for policies that promote economic and job growth to the benefit of his constituents and all Pennsylvanians.

"With an economy in crisis, it is essential to have someone in office who understands what it will take to move Pennsylvania forward," said Barr, noting as well Argall's past experience as House Appropriations Committee chairman heading into a difficult budget year.

"For these reasons, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry wholeheartedly supported his state Senate candidacy."