Fed. Judge Rejects GOP Challenge To Pa. Senator's Election By By James Boyle Law360 (January 12, 2021, 2:58 PM EST) -- A Democratic Pennsylvania state senator blocked from his swearing-in ceremony last week by the Republican majority was lawfully reelected in the November election, a federal judge ruled Tuesday. Federal District Judge Nicholas Ranjan in Pennsylvania's Western District sided with the Allegheny County Board of Elections that the county's undated mail-in ballots are valid and should be counted. The decision upholds an opinion from the state Supreme Court and keeps intact Sen. Jim Brewster's slim victory over challenger Nicole Ziccarelli in the 45th Senate District. Senate Pro Tem Jake Corman tweeted Tuesday afternoon that Brewster would be sworn-in Wednesday at 11 a.m.