State Sen. John Boccieri (D-Alliance) made his campaign in Ohio's 16th Congressional District about putting middle-class families first, and the Congressman-elect is looking forward to doing that in the next session of Congress.

Boccieri beat state Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Jackson Twp.) in the race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Navarre). Boccieri will become the first Democrat to represent Ohio's 16th in 58 years.

The Ohio Secretary of State currently shows Boccieri received 55.26 percent of the vote to Schuring's 44.74 percent. Boccieri received 160,894 votes compared to 130,270 for Schuring.

Boccieri spokesperson Bryan Collinsworth said that Boccieri campaigned on putting middle-class families first and bringing the change necessary to Washington in order to do that.

"I think that the results indicate that message resonated, that that's what voters are looking for," Collinsworth said.

Collinsworth said that in his acceptance speech Boccieri said he was enthusiastic and honored to recieve the nomination, but above all else, he understands what a great responsibility that means with all the challenges currently facing the United States.

"It was a historic night, but now it's time to roll up our sleeves and get about the work of the American people," Collinsworth said.

Collinsworth said that Boccieri's priorities in Congress would be the same of the campaign.

"It's what he ran on and what he plans to focus on," Collinsowrth said. "And that's the economy, creating jobs here, creating a fairer playing field in terms of trade and rewarding companies that are investing in America and putting people to work, making sure that healthcare access is available to every American and making sure that we're transistioning away from oil as the only game in town, and focusing on alternative energy sources that can be developed right here in this Congressional District."

Collinsworth also said that Boccieri wants to see the troops return from Iraq safely, honorably and soon.

"He will certainly work to ensure that when they do return they will have every bit of support they deserve for their service," Collinsworth said.

Collinsworth said he didn't know at this time which committees Boccieri will be gunning for in Congress.

"I think he knows very much the issues he wants to focus on and that will probably indicate what committees he takes a look at," Collinsworth said.