Neither President-elect Donald Trump nor Sen.-elect David McCormick got here near profitable Philadelphia County in Tuesday’s election, however the GOP nonetheless notched a historic win within the blue bastion, mirroring Republicans’ overperformance nationwide.
In northeast Philadelphia, probably the most reasonable space of the liberal metropolis, Joe Picozzi defeated Democratic state Sen. Jimmy Dillon 50.5% to 49.5% within the fifth district. The win signaled the Republicans’ first on the state Senate degree citywide in almost 30 years.
Of the seven state Senate districts in Philadelphia, the fifth was additionally the latest to go crimson, with former state Sen. Frank Salvatore’s final re-election in 1996. Salvatore was defeated in 2000 by future Lt. Gov. Mike Stack.
The longest dearth is in Democratic state Sen. Vincent Hughes’ seat in northwest Philadelphia, which has not hosted a Republican since state Sen. Augustus F. Daix Jr. in 1932.
Picozzi, of Tacony, is the son of a Philadelphia firefighter and was beforehand a member of the Philadelphia Youth Fee. He was thought-about a political newcomer and was backed by state Republicans however reportedly not the PhillyGOP.
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A skyline picture of Philadelphia. (Ed Jones/Getty)
The Penn Capital-Star and different retailers reported as a lot, whereas the state Senate’s GOP marketing campaign arm and state Senate chief Kim Ward provided their full assist.
In a Fb publish after Picozzi’s win, the PhillyGOP “applauded [him] for his relentless work to defeat an incumbent and nicely entrenched State Senator.”
“Joe Picozzi soundly defeated his opponent to provide Philadelphia a [R]epublican voice within the Pennsylvania Senate,” the publish added, adopted by replies from customers who criticized the non-endorsement.
Ward informed the Capital-Star that Picozzi “went 24/7” and “all-out” within the uphill battle to flip the seat.
“I don’t know that you simply win that seat with only a candidate who isn’t going to work like that,” she stated.
Dillon conceded to Picozzi on Sunday, saying he wished him “each success in delivering for our neighbors” and “making Northeast Philly stronger and safer for all who name it house,” in accordance with WCAU.
An “elected Democrat” within the space informed the Inquirer that Dillon’s loss was the “most embarrassing” piece of the election and that Picozzi was not taken as critically as he ought to have been. Democrats spent $254,000 on the race, however most of these funds went out within the closing weeks, in accordance with the paper.
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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, proper, appears on as President Biden delivers remarks. (Julia Nikhinson / AFP)
Picozzi made crime a high subject in his marketing campaign. Philadelphia has been wracked by looting, flash mobs and wild, unsanctioned “automobile meets” in the course of the night time in Middle Metropolis. Throughout 2020 protests following a police-involved taking pictures of a Black man, a Walmart not removed from Picozzi’s district on Aramingo Avenue was ransacked.
The district contains residential areas like Mayfair, Rhawnhurst, Somerton and Torresdale. It’s notably simply inside town line from the Trevose McDonald’s the place Trump cooked french fries and served drive-thru prospects throughout a marketing campaign cease.
“Over the past yr, I talked to hundreds of people that have touched my coronary heart profoundly and eternally. I’m grateful for the belief you could have positioned in me to serve you as your subsequent State Senator,” Picozzi stated in an announcement on social media.
“I wish to thank Senator Dillon for his service to our house. It’s time for all of us to come back collectively as one neighborhood to seek out frequent sense options to revive and safe Northeast Philadelphia.”
Outgoing Pennsylvania State Sen. Jimmy Dillon, D-Philadelphia. (Comm. of PA)
Whereas thought-about a political newcomer marketing campaign sensible, he labored briefly as a staffer for then-Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., whereas attending Georgetown College.
A Democratic neighborhood chief from Fox Chase, alongside town line with Montgomery County, was requested in regards to the race by the Philadelphia Inquirer previous to Election Day.
He in contrast northeast Philadelphia to Bucks County – the “swing” bellwether that was topic to nationwide media consideration within the closing days of the 2024 election.
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Voters in that a part of town are likely to forged their poll based mostly on points quite than candidates, irrespective of the partisan registration bent, Brian Eddis informed the paper.
After latest redistricting, which noticed metro areas like Allentown and Harrisburg host districts extra favorable to Democrats, Republicans wanted a key win to protect their 6-seat majority there. Democrats at present management the 203-seat state Home by one vote and Gov. Josh Shapiro is a Democrat.
Ward identified within the Harrisburg instance that Democrat Patty Kim received the longtime Republican open-seat of retiring state Sen. John DiSanto, in that Picozzi’s win preserves their statewide margins.
Trump misplaced Philadelphia 79%-20% and Sen.-elect David McCormick by an analogous 78%-19%.
Fox Information Digital reached out to the PhillyGOP and Republican Social gathering of Pennsylvania for remark.
