Patrick Harkins stood at the Falcons Club on East Third Street shortly after 11 p.m. savoring a victory that was easier than expected.

The final TV cameras had left. His three children -- all up way past their bedtimes -- were patiently waiting for their father to shake the final hands and say the final goodbyes.

In the end, the margin of victory wasn't supposed to be this wide. Harkins, a political newcomer, had bested his closest competitor for the Democratic nomination for the First District General Assembly seat by nearly 1,000 votes. Observers had expected a much tighter race.

That theme played out around the county tonight -- as several candidates won by much larger margins than many had expected. It was true for incumbent Republican State Reps. Matthew Good and John Evans. It was also true for John Hornaman, who easily bested fellow Democrat Ebert Beeman for the right to challenge Good in November.

None of these candidates, however, will have much time to savor their wins. Each faces what could be a serious challenge in November. But, then again, it wasn't supposed to be this easy tonight.