GOP governor ousted in Pennsylvania

Voters in Pennsylvania chose first-time candidate Tom Wolf (D) over Gov. Tom Corbett (R) as their new governor on Tuesday.

Multiple outlets called the race for Wolf immediately after polls closed on Tuesday evening.

{mosads}With the loss, Corbett became the first governor in the state’s modern history to lose a reelection race.

Wolf, a longtime businessman who turned around his family’s cabinet company, had maintained a strong and steady lead in polling ahead of the election, though the incumbent’s campaign claimed that the tide was shifting and momentum had turned in his favor in recent days.

Corbett’s approval ratings in the state have lagged throughout much of his first term, amid cuts to education funding. He has also been unable to get pension reform passed through the state Legislature, one of his key priorities.

Wolf had called for increasing funding for public schools and leveling a tax on natural gas producers in the state, which Corbett had opposed.

Both candidates had made treks across the state on Monday to try to secure final votes.

In recent weeks, the race drew visits from a number of high profile political stars.

Wolf got help on the stump from President Obama, former President Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and first lady Michelle Obama. Corbett got a helping hand from neighboring New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), both of whom are potential presidential candidates in 2016.