Ray Gricar was re-elected to his third consecutive term as Centre County district attorney yesterday, defeating James Bryant by a wide margin, doubling the number of votes Bryant received.

Gricar received 15,463 votes to Bryant's 9,570 with all precincts reporting.

"It's very gratifying," Gricar said of his victory, adding that he "interpreted it as a vote of confidence."

Gricar, the district attorney for the last eight years, said he would continue to run the office in the same manner he always has. He plans to concentrate on prosecuting violent crimes, which have been on the rise in the county.

The Republican also plans to lobby the Centre County Board of Commissioners to change the district attorney's job status from a part-time to a full-time position, increasing the salary to the law-mandated $89,000. Gricar said the increase would be one-tenth of 1 percent of the county's budget by his calculations.

"The need is there, the public support is there . . . and it's financially affordable," Gricar said.

Gricar also said he plans to ask the commisioners to reinstate the drug detective position, which is currently funded with drug forfeitures, on the county's payroll. The current funding is unpredictable and unstable, he added.

Bryant, the Democratic candidate, conceded to Gricar at 11:15 p.m. with just 48 of 85 districts reporting results. He conceded because Gricar's lead of more than 3,000 votes was more than Gricar's margin of victory over Jeff Stover in the 1989 election for district attorney.

"I'd hope to do better, but I didn't," Bryant said, adding "It's unfortunate, but that's the way the game plays."

When asked about the future of the district attorney's office under Gricar, Bryant said, "I think they'll have to put in double doors to fit (Gricar's) ego," adding that if elected, he would have needed the same.

Bryant does not plan to run for district attorney in the 1997 election. He will continue to work at his private law practice in Haines Township.

Collegian staff writer Andy Hunn contributed to this report.