Democratic Victory in Delaware County
Leaders of Delaware County’s political parties analyzed the results of Tuesday’s election, with Democrats emphasizing that voters were endorsing the good governance currently in place. They highlighted that the strong performance across all top county-level races, including judges, county council, and row offices, was a reflection of the public’s appreciation for the work being done. Meanwhile, Republicans acknowledged that local issues took a backseat to broader concerns, as the majority of voters focused on national and statewide matters.
The Democrats swept all top county-level races, making inroads in other municipal positions. While Republicans managed to retain some school board seats, they lost ground in other areas. This outcome marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the county.
Salvatore Colleluori, the campaign manager for the countywide Democratic candidates, praised the large margin of victory and the voters’ recognition of the party’s efforts. He noted that the margin for Jack Stollsteimer was 65,000, while the county council race had a 50,000-vote lead. Colleluori also pointed out gains made at the municipal level in places like Upper Darby, Ridley Park, and Prospect Park.
He emphasized that the Democratic brand is strong and that the message of “we work for you” resonated with voters. Colleluori highlighted the positive vision set by the party for moving the county forward and how voters clearly saw this vision. He also stressed the importance of the state Supreme Court retention, which he said had a ripple effect down to the Middletown constable race, where Democrat Laura Shaw defeated Republican Louis J. Marcozzi Jr.
Colleluori noted that the voters backed the Democratic message of serving the residents of Delaware County, seeing it as an endorsement of the party’s vision going forward. He mentioned the energy around the retention issue, as voters expressed disappointment with billionaires trying to meddle in judicial affairs.
He underscored that voters recognized and appreciated the work of county council and row officers, with their votes serving as an endorsement of the county health department, county programs, and Democratic transparency. Colleluori pointed out that the county budget under Republican rule was only 16 pages long, while last year’s was 342 pages, suggesting that voters valued the increased transparency.
With the election of county Controller Joanne Phillips and the re-election of Council Vice Chair Richard Womack to county council, Colleluori stated that the focus would be on cutting spending and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely while also addressing residents’ needs. He reiterated that the voters endorsed the need to take care of one another and the community.
Colleluori also highlighted the positive campaign run by the Democrats, focusing on countywide achievements and their impact on everyday lives. He expressed pride in his candidates and the extensive door-to-door work they did, noting that the results clearly showed the effectiveness of their efforts.
Republican Perspective
Delaware County Republican Party Chairman Frank Agovino discussed how the majority of voters focused on issues like retention rather than local concerns. He noted that a decade ago, these municipal races were typically about local issues, but now, national feelings seem to outweigh local ones. Agovino attributed the turnout to the statewide judicial retention issue, which brought many voters out who ultimately voted against the Republicans.
Agovino emphasized that the local GOP prioritized what is happening in Delaware County, highlighting issues such as rising taxes. He mentioned that the party stuck to the facts, though he found it surprising that many people didn’t care about local issues. He noted that in a county like Delaware County, national and statewide issues have a more significant impact.
Both Republicans and Democrats experienced good voter turnout, with county estimates recording 45% of the 409,072 registered voters casting ballots. Agovino conceded that the Democrats had better numbers. He also mentioned that some Republicans did not vote for Republican candidates in the local election.
While his focus is on bringing those voters back, Agovino acknowledged that the political pendulum can change quickly. He pointed out that the national tenor went against the Republicans, but that could change in the next cycle. At the end of the day, he emphasized that the county faces challenges such as rising taxes, a structural deficit, and bloated agencies, which he feels are not something to celebrate or be proud of.
Agovino noted that those who voted Republican did so out of concern for the county’s future. He thanked the GOP candidates for their work in the campaigns, acknowledging that they put their lives on hold for a year. He said the party was hoping for better results, but the Republicans came out and voted on the issues of taxes and mismanagement.
He noted that in order to win again in Delaware County, the GOP will need support from voters on the other side of the aisle. “At the end of the day, we still need some Democrats to walk our way,” Agovino said.
The Write-In Candidate
Write-in candidate Charles Alexander, who sought the Republican nomination in the primary but was removed due to a technicality, spoke about the election. He criticized the Concerned Citizens of Delaware County group, stating that they were disenfranchised by the Delaware County GOP, which he described as an antiquated and morally defunct organization.
Alexander claimed the GOP was in bed with the Democrats and that they cared more about their fondue fountains and drinks than the people. He accused them of being tone-deaf, pointing out that some of their candidates were chauffeured around in limo SUVs instead of using those funds to raise awareness for their campaigns.
Agovino did not respond directly to Alexander’s comments, saying, “I am all in for common goals.” Alexander spoke about taxes and crime, warning that after the Democrats implement their tax increases, residents would be squeezed tightly. He also mentioned the rise in crime as a growing concern in the county.
Alexander called for change, stating that there would be real pain that some political party should care about. He urged the people of Delaware County, including Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, to come together and support a common goal: what is truly right and good for the people. He emphasized that if they could build this unity, they could run their own people in 2027 and address the wrongs caused by the political elite.