Updated: 5:17 PM EST Jan 12, 2021 A federal judge has upheld the election win of a Democratic state senator from western Pennsylvania. Incumbent Sen. Jim Brewster of Allegheny County won reelection in the 45th Senate District by 69 votes, but his Republican opponent challenged the results.U.S. District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan rejected the argument by Nicole Ziccarelli that Allegheny County was not justified in counting 311 mail-in ballots without a handwritten date. The county’s decision had been upheld by the state Supreme Court.Tuesday's ruling came a week after a fight broke out on the floor of the Senate when Republican leaders refused to seat Brewster.Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman said Brewster will be sworn in Wednesday morning.Corman released the following statement:“In his decision today, Judge Ranjan further clarified the proper handling of undated ballots and we will seat Jim Brewster as the Senator for the 45th Pennsylvania Senate District at 11am tomorrow morning.“In this case, there was no dispute of facts. There were no allegations of fraud. Instead, we had voters in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties who made the same mistake on their mail-in ballots being treated differently.“Senate Republicans believe that - considering this obvious defect - the Secretary of State Boockvar was premature in certifying the election. By delaying the swearing-in of a senator, we took the time to receive this imminent ruling."Governor issues statementGov. Tom Wolf also commented on the judge's decision. He released this statement:“Today’s court decision reaffirms that Sen. Brewster won the election. He received the most votes and the court dismissed his opponent’s claims. Sen. Brewster must be sworn in to represent the 45th Senate District in the Pennsylvania State Senate."The tragic events of the past week are a reminder that democracy must be preserved for today and future generations. The voters decide elections, not powerful Harrisburg politicians. Our nation has been through too much pain and disruption for this shameful power grab to continue."Senate Republicans may not like the outcome of the election, but they cannot overturn the will of the people in western Pennsylvania or ignore court decisions. The people’s ballots are counted, and the results are accurate. Refusing to seat Sen. Brewster and leaving the district without a voice would be unethical and undemocratic. The Senate Republicans have no choice. Sen. Brewster must be sworn in.”