The first time they met, two years ago, Jason Altmire nipped incumbent Republican Melissa Hart in a tight race.

Last night, Mr. Altmire was riding a wave of nationwide Democratic gains, but this time with the benefit of incumbency and superior funding.

The result was a wide victory for the McCandless freshman, cementing his hold on Pennsylvania's 4th Congressional District.

"I felt like I had a good story to tell about my two years in office," Mr. Altmire said. "If you do a good job in office, people send you back."

A few supporters gathered at Mulligan's Club House and Grille in Harmar to watch the returns, with Mr. Altmire clinching his victory by 10:15 p.m.

"We're low-keying it here," Mr. Altmire said.

Ms. Hart, who Mr. Altmire unseated in 2006 after she had served three terms, had been labeled a rising Republican star. But last night she was humbled for the second time.

"Looks like what was going on in 2006 is continuing in 2008," said Ms. Hart, who again accused Mr. Altmire of ducking debates with her. "A number of my former colleagues are not holding on to their seats."

Ms. Hart ran advertisements linking Mr. Altmire to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hoping that Ms. Pelosi would be an albatross around his neck the way President Bush was to Ms. Hart two years ago.

Ms. Hart's advertising also trumpeted the correlation between Mr. Altmire's arrival in Congress and the recent financial downturn. One spot showed a house explosion as an apparent metaphor for the economy.

Countering the claim that he took his cues from Democratic leadership, Mr. Altmire pointed to his votes against the $750 billion bailout bill. Mr. Altmire's stances against gun control and abortion further bolstered his centrist claims.

And, echoing his last campaign, Mr. Altmire's attack ads tied Ms. Hart to President Bush.

The district, which includes all of Lawrence County, most of Beaver County, and portions of Allegheny, Butler, Mercer and Westmoreland counties, is fairly conservative, despite a Democratic registration edge in the tens of thousands.

Mr. Altmire acknowledged the Democratic gains in both chambers of Congress and the presidency, saying that came with a responsibly for members of his party.

"We can't blame George Bush anymore," Mr. Altmire said. "This is on us. I feel a sense of responsibility more than any emotion at this point. The people have entrusted us with the future."