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Post-Gazette - Primary 2008/East: Bompiani wins solid contest

The victory party at the AMS Club in South Greensburg, according to Tony Bompiani, drew more than 200 guests and went on long after early returns showed he led the Democratic race for the state Senate in District 39 with more than 60 percent of the vote.

This ability to unite people behind a common cause is, according to some of his supporters, one of the main reasons for Dr. Bompiani's landslide victory in Tuesday's primary.

"We all pulled together and we knew what we had," said his wife, Renee, of the way family, friends and constituents worked to support her husband, a Youngwood chiropractor.

"We stood behind him 100 percent. Knowing him the way we know him, we knew that there was no one else better for the job."

Dale Hutchinson of Greensburg said: "He's going to strengthen the Democratic Party again, bring it back where it was -- and bring the respect back to Westmoreland County."

According to the Westmoreland County Election Bureau, Dr. Bompiani defeated Chris Huffman, 40, of Rostraver, by gaining 65 percent of the vote -- despite Mr. Huffman's endorsement from the county Democratic committee. Vote totals are unofficials.

Dr. Bompiani, 54, of Hempfield, will face incumbent Bob Regola, R-Hempfield, in the November election. Mr. Regola, who is in his first term, ran unopposed in the primary.

Mr. Huffman said he has "no regrets" regarding his race and hopes his party will come together to support Dr. Bompiani in November.

"We need to join together and make sure that we get that seat back," said Mr. Huffman, a Greensburg attorney.

Dr. Bompiani agreed that unity among Democrats was the best way to defeat Mr. Regola and said he and Mr. Huffman would meet in early May to discuss options to bring party members together.

"We need to meet with the other side of the Democratic Party and draw them together because we can't win in November without both sides together," he said. "More important, the party needs to brought together and to become as one for the future."