It was a close race for House District 35, but incumbent Cherylin Peniston came out on top on Tuesday night.

The Democrat beat her Republican opponent Brian Vande Krol earning about 56 percent of the votes.

“I’m feeling really good right,” she said. “I’m really excited.”

Peniston has spent the last six years in the House District 35 position. Earning the majority of the votes to continue two more years as her district’s representative, Peniston is focused on school finance.

She said she will also bring back her tanning salon bill that notifies parents of their child’s use of commercial artificial tanning devices, by requiring parents to sign a permission from listing the potential risks and to stay on-site with a minor less than 14 years old.

“I have been so focused on this campaign and I’ve been working so hard, that’s what’s been on my mind,” she said. “But school finance is definitely at the top.”

Peniston said she’s proud of the integrity of her campaign. She said it feels great to win an election without an ounce of negativity against her opponent.

Westminster resident and Republican Vande Krol focused his campaign on face-to-face contact with the voters, spending hours knocking on his constituents’ doors.

After spending two years dedicated to his campaign, he plans on focusing on his businesses.

“I need to get back to work and re-build my businesses,” he said. “I don’t plan on running again.”