The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Democrats
have a Democratic majority for the first time in eight years as a result of Tuesday’s election.
In the race for Pennsylvania’s 70th Legislative District, which includes Norristown, East Norriton, Worcester and part of Plymouth Township, Democratic incumbent Matt Bradford defeated Republican challenger Chris Mudiath by nearly 9,000 votes, winning by nearly 39 percentage points.
The race to fill the 150th State Legislative District seat vacated by Republican Michael Corr, was a significantly tighter, but Democratic nominee Joe Webster, a former Air Force Colonel and U.S. Department of Defense liaison, managed to hold off Republican Skippack Township Supervisor Nick Fountain to flip the seat, winning 56 percent of the vote in the district comprised of Skippack, Lower Providence, Collegeville, and portions of Upper Providence and West Norriton.
In the 61st House District, Democrat Liz Hanbidge, an attorney and child advocate from Blue Bell, appears to have defeated incumbent Republican representative and attorney Kate Harper.
“I’m thankful for all of the people who voted and stepped forward to make their voices heard. I’m excited to represent constituent’s interests in Harrisburg, and I look forward to getting to know them personally,” Hanbidge said in a statement Tuesday night.
“May we be as gracious in victory as we might have been in defeat,” she said.
As of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, unofficial vote totals had Hanbidge ahead with 53 percent and 17,152 total votes to 46 percent and 14,742 votes for Harper, with 12 writein votes and 33 of 34 areas counted.
Harper said at 11 p.m. Tuesday she had just called Hanbidge to concede, and to wish her well.
“It’s been an honor to serve the people of the 61st legislative district for 18 years. I met a lot of wonderful people, and I was part of a lot of wonderful things, and so I hope that she has success, and does a good job for us,” Harper said.
“I love this place. I want it to be well-represented, so I do hope she’s successful as our state rep. Today was an amazing day for many, in many respects. The number of people at the polls was shocking, and I think that’s good: democracy works better when the people participate in ‘government by the people,’” she said.
When asked about future plans, Harper said it was too soon to look past election day.
“I haven’t thought that far ahead. When God closes a door, he opens a window,” she said.
State Reps Mary Jo Daley (D-148) and Tim Briggs (D149) ran unopposed.
In the closest area race, Katie Muth is projected to have unseated incumbent State Sen. John Rafferty in the 44th Senatorial District.
With more than 99 percent of precincts counted, Muth (62,444 votes) had a lead just shy of 4 percentage points over Rafferty (57,733 votes) in the district which includes parts of Montgomery, Chester, and Berks counties.