Primary election day is Tuesday for voters in the two major political parties, but in Chester County, it’s mostly a ho-hum sort of exercise this year.
There are no local contests for Congress, state Senate or state House of Representatives on the ballot, with all incumbents — Democrat and Republican seeking re-election, and a full slate of challengers from both parties.
Of interest to political insiders and observers, however, the current voter registration figures add some spice to the mix, as they show an oh-so slight tightening of the gap between Democrats and Republicans in the county.
As of last Monday, the county’s Democratic Party still holds the edge in registration, with 159,192 voters to the Republican Party’s 152,018. That is a margin of 7,174 voters, maintaining the plurality the Democrats have held since 2020.
But that margin is 1,251 voters fewer than the edge the party held in May 2023, when there were 157,0008 “blue” voters on the books to the 149,583 “red” supporters. What role that tightening may play come November, where voters will go to the polls to elect a president and send representatives to Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., remains to be seen.
Chester County Democratic Committee Chairwoman Charlotte Valyo was asked about the new numbers, but sidestepped her response and focused on her party’s ballot slate and past performance.
“The results of the 2023 election show that, without question, Democratic candidates continue to be elected and re-elected because they represent the values and opinions of the majority of the voters of Chester County and govern for everyone regardless of party registration,” she said in an e-mail.
“I am confident Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan will be re-elected and the incumbent State Representatives and Senators will also be re-elected. Elizabeth Moro and Cristian Luna are positioned to win in the 160th and 13th State House Districts respectively,” she said.
Chester County Republican Committee Chairman Dr. Raffi Terzian said he was satisfied with the change.
“It is certainly encouraging to note that Republican registrations in Chester County outpaced Democrat and Independent registrations in that timeframe,” he said in an e-mail. “But it is also not surprising given community concerns related to rising crime, a faltering economy and a worsening border crisis.
“For our part, it validates the hard work and effort of the Republican Committee of Chester County. We will continue to engage the community and educate voters on the issues while we promote our outstanding slate of candidates,” he said.
One GOP insider, who asked to remain anonymous, said the county’s party gains mirrored that across the state.
“Republicans have done well with voter registration around the state and in Chester County over the last two years,” the person said. “This stems from President Biden’s unpopularity, led by inflation and foreign conflicts.
“Unfortunately, Republican candidates will be saddled with Donald Trump again who is deeply disliked by suburban voters,” the person added. “Despite voter registration gains, most strategists don’t see any Republican pick-ups in Chester County in Congress or the state legislature. We’ll have another status quo election with Democrats holding their seats. Things may change in the post-Trump GOP, but that time hasn’t arrived.
On the other side of the aisle, a county Democrat said despite diminishing numbers, the county’s local races will still “go Democrat.”
“In Chester County, registration gains are typically made by the party not controlling the White House,” the Democrat said. “So if Trump were in the White House, I believe the registration advantage would have kept going Democratic.
Locally, it is incumbent Chrissy U.S. Rep. Houlahan, D-6th, of Easttown who will lead the ticket unopposed, and who will likely face off against a political newcomer, Neil Young of East Nantmeal, for the county’s sole congressional District seat.
Young, a social studies teacher and wrestling coach in the Great Valley School District, won a contest for the Chester County Republican Committee’s endorsement this winter over two other candidates. Any traction he may have garnered with his victory within the party seems not to have carried over into fundraising for his campaign.
According to Federal Election Commission figures, Young raised just $6,700 in the first three months of the year and had only $1,238 cash on hand at the end of March. By contrast, Houlahan — who is in her third term in Congress — raised $1.47 million in the period and had a whopping $3.79 million cash on hand.
Those seeking nomination to local state races include the county’s two state senators, Carolyn Comitta of West Chester in the 16th and John Kane of Birmingham in the 9th. They are joined on the ballot by the candidates for state House seats — state Rep. Paul Friel of North Coventry for the 26th Legislative District; state Rep. Dan Williams of West Sadsbury for the 74th Legislative District; state Rep. Daniel Friel-Otten of Uwchlan for the 155th Legislative District; state Rep. Christopher Pielli of West Goshen for the 156th Legislative District; state Rep. Melissa Shusterman of Tredyffrin for the 157th Legislative District; state Rep. Christina Sappey of East Marlborough for the 158th Legislative District; and state Rep. Kristine Howard of Malvern for the 167th Legislative District.
The two other candidates that Valyo mentioned are Elizabeth Moro of Pennsbury for the 160th state House seat now held by Republican Craig Williams, and West Grove resident Luna, who is seeking to run against state Rep. John Lawrence in the 13th Legislative District.
Those endorsed by the county GOP as challengers to the Democrat incumbents who are running unopposed are Shaw Blickley of East Coventry, a business owner running for the 16th Legislative District; Dale Hensel of Sadsbury, a business owner making his second run for the 74th Legislative District; Rodney Simon of Uwchlan, a real estate professional, running for the 155th Legislative District; Kris Vollrath of West Goshen, a business owner running for the 156th Legislative District; Regina Mauro of Tredyffrin, a business consultant and conservative activist running for the 157th Legislative District; and Realtor Tina Ayala of West Bradford.
Former state Rep. Duane Milne is also running for the 19th State Senate seat, and Avon Grove School Board member Mike Woodin of London Britain is running unopposed for the 9th state Senate seat.
This story has been updated.
To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.
