PITTSBURGH -- State Rep. John Pippy won a special election Tuesday night for a state Senate seat in suburban Pittsburgh's 37th District.

WTAE Action News reported that Pippy, 32, of Moon, beat Paul J. Gitnik, 42, a Democrat from South Park, by a 2-to-1 margin (22,888 to 11,284 with all 197 precincts reporting).

The position was vacated when U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy was elected to Congress.

Pippy is on active military duty and was granted special approval to appear on the ballot just last week. Click here for more details about that decision.

Pippy is prohibited from performing the duties of his office until his deployment ends.

The 37th District comprises 31 Allegheny County municipalities and Peters, Washington County.

Because of Army regulations, Pippy could not actively campaign. That responsibility was taken up by his wife and volunteers.

"We're just really thankful for all the help and really proud that the voters respect what he is doing," said his wife, Katherine Pippy.

Now, Katherine Pippy said, Republican leadership in Harrisburg will begin working on when her husband might be sworn in. Then, he will most likely be placed on legislative leave. Already, she said, he's accrued one day of leave.

She said three district offices will be set up to serve constituents.