Jim Brewster On Tue., Jan. 12, United State District Judge Nicholas Ranjan ruled that disputed mail-in ballots in the race for Pennsylvania's 45th state Senate District to be counted and said that state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-McKeesport) should be seated. He was being challenged by Nicole Ziccarelli (R-Lower Burrell). Republican leadership in the state Senate refused to seat Brewster last week, even though his election victory was certified by Pennsylvania's secretary of state, and the state Supreme Court had already ruled that disputed mail-in ballots should be counted. However, Republicans argued that no one should be seated until the federal court challenge is decided.