Democrats Joseph Holden and Albert Matunis broke an eight-year reign by Republicans in Schuylkill County, winning the majority representation in the commissioners’ office in the general election.

Holden, an incumbent, and his running mate, Matunis, unseated Republican Leonard Thomas, who is also the chairman of the GOP Party.

Also gaining victories in the surprising Democratic victory were attorney John Lavelle, who easily defeated District Attorney Richard B. Russell in the contest for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas; Metro Litwak, who defeated incumbent Controller Albert Krommes; and Joseph E. Lynch, who will become the Recorder of Deeds after he defeated Tamaqua resident Republican Thomas Aiken.