O’Mara, Quinn cling to slim leads in Pa. House races
Updated election totals released Tuesday indicate Democrat Jenn O’Mara has won her race in the 165th Legislative District to unseat freshman Republican Alex Charlton, while incumbent Republican state Rep. Chris Quinn appears to have fended off a challenge from Democrat Kristin Seale in the 168th District.
The new figures that include absentee ballots show O’Mara, of Springfield, edged out the incumbent 16,602 to 16,072, a difference of just 530 votes. Totals for the 168th District race showed an even closer margin of just 489, with Quinn, of Middletown, besting Seale 17,341 to 16,852.
“I appreciate the support from my constituents and am thrilled that so many voters recognized my unique approach to issues and split their votes,” said Quinn in a texted statement Tuesday. “I am going to work hard every day to show them that their faith in me was well placed. I am going to continue to do what I did in my first two years, and that’s represent the interests of all voters – Republicans, Democrats and Independents.”
“Obviously not the outcome I had hoped for,” said Charlton when reached by phone in Harrisburg Monday, where caucus members were selecting leaders for the next session. “I wish Miss O’Mara the best of luck in her future endeavors and a very heartfelt thank you to the residents of the 165th for the opportunity to represent them over the last two years. …It was an honor.”
Charlton added that he was proud of the work he had accomplished, including a bill providing grants to research spinal cord injuries, and was looking forward to spending more time with his family.
Neither O’Mara nor Seale could be reached for comment Tuesday.
Delaware County Board of Elections Solicitor Francis Catania said the absentee ballots were counted by hand Monday in the County Council meeting room. The results are still unofficial, he said, because a machine used to scan the ballots was not working. That machine should be repaired later this week.
Previous unofficial machine totals showed O’Mara defeating Charlton 15,639 to 15,485 and Quinn winning over Seale 16,569 to 15,811. The updated figures also do not include provisional ballots, challenges or all overseas military ballots, which were still able to be received until the close of business Tuesday.
Catania said there were approximately 9,000 absentee ballots filed countywide, which is comparable to a presidential election. Seale received 1,041 absentee votes to Quinn’s 772, though one Middletown district in that race still requires board review. O’Mara received 963 absentee ballots in her favor and Charlton received 587.
Catania said provisional ballots will be counted later this week and the board has not yet set a date to hear challenges. He noted that challenges are often withdrawn as the counting process continues if it becomes clear the number of challenged votes falls below the margin needed to win.