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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 average 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 newest 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 of 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 shops reported as a lot, whereas the state Senate’s GOP marketing campaign arm and state Senate chief Kim Ward supplied their full help.
In a Fb submit 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 submit added, adopted by replies from customers who criticized the non-endorsement.
Ward instructed 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 just win that seat with only a candidate who isn’t going to work like that,” she mentioned.
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 residence,” in response to WCAU.
An “elected Democrat” within the space instructed the Inquirer that Dillon’s loss was the “most embarrassing” piece of the election and that Picozzi was not taken as severely 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 response to the paper.
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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, proper, seems on as President Biden delivers remarks. (Julia Nikhinson / AFP)
Picozzi made crime a high challenge in his marketing campaign. Philadelphia has been wracked by looting, flash mobs and wild, unsanctioned “automotive meets” in the course of the night time in Heart Metropolis. Throughout 2020 protests following a police-involved capturing 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 the 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 12 months, I talked to hundreds of people that have touched my coronary heart profoundly and eternally. I’m grateful for the belief you will have positioned in me to serve you as your subsequent State Senator,” Picozzi mentioned in a press release on social media.
“I need to thank Senator Dillon for his service to our residence. It’s time for all of us to come back collectively as one group 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 of a political newcomer marketing campaign smart, he labored briefly as a staffer for then-Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., whereas attending Georgetown College.
A Democratic group chief from Fox Chase, alongside the town line with Montgomery County, was requested concerning 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 the town are inclined to solid their poll based mostly on points quite than candidates, regardless of the partisan registration bent, Brian Eddis instructed the paper.
After current 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 gained 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 Get together of Pennsylvania for remark.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox Information Digital.
He joined Fox Information in 2013 as a author and manufacturing assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and tradition for Fox Information Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple College with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story ideas will be despatched to [email protected].
