HARRISBURG -- House Minority leader Sam Smith staved off a challenge by former speaker John Perzel today, ensuring Mr. Smith another two years as leader of the Republicans in the House.

The results weren't announced, but Mr. Smith's aide, Steve Miskin, said his boss had won. He received at least 50 votes in the 99-member caucus, Mr. Miskin said. It wasn't known if a final result would be announced.

Another expected winner was Rep. Mike Turzai. He was seeking the No. 2 position, called party whip. Mr. Turzai, from Bradford Woods, was unopposed.

In a third race, Rep. John Maher of Upper St. Clair failed in his bid to undeat Rep. Mario Civera of Delaware County as Republican chairman of the influential House Appropriations Committee.

Mr. Perzel had been a longtime House Republican leader, and served as speaker from 2003-06. But he wasn't able to win the speaker's post in January 2007, when Democrats took control of the House, and also failed to become House minority leader at that time.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.