Dinniman the lone Democrat to win in legislative races
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Although Democrats fared well in Chester County at the top of the ticket — Hillary Clinton, despite losing Pennsylvania and nationally to Donald Trump, won Chester County by nine points and Democrats swept the three statewide row office races — but Republicans swept Congressional races and state house races, Tuesday.
For the Republicans, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey won both Chester County as the state as a whole, winning reelection to a second term, defeating Democrat Katie McGinty. U.S. Reps Ryan Costello (R-6) and Pat Meehan (R-7) defeated their respective Democratic challengers, Mike Parrish and Mary Ellen Balchunis, while Republican Lloyd Smucker won a fairly easy race — despite polling that showed a tight contest – over Democrat Christina Hartman in the 16th District.
State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-19) was the lone Democratic legislator elected, Tuesday. Sen. Tom Killion defeated Democratic challenger Marty Malloy in the 9th District.
In state house races, John Lawrence (R-13) won reelection over Nancy Dean, Tim Hennessey (R-26) won his unopposed race, Harry Lewis Jr. (R-74) won a narrow victory over Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxwell, Becky Corbin (R-155) won easily over James Burns, Dan Truitt (R-156) won a tight victory over West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta, Warren Kampf (R-157) defeated Hans von Mol, Republican Eric Roe defeated Susan Rzucidlo for the open 158th District seat, Stephen Barrar defeated independent David Cleary in the 160th District and Duane Milne (R-167) defeated Joe Denham.
In other races, Democrat Josh Shapiro was elected Attorney General defeating Republican state Senator John Rafferty, Democrat Eugene DePasquale won reelection as Auditor General over John Brown and Democrat Joe Torsella won election as State Treasurer over Otto Voit.
A ballot question to change the state constitution to increase the retirement age for judges to 75 appears to have passed.
