The national Democratic Party had its eye on the Delaware Valley Tuesday, hoping to flip U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s seat and get one step closer to winning control of the House of Representatives. They were also counting on Vice President Kamala Harris’ coattails to help.
Instead, Fitzpatrick easily won reelection, Donald Trump carried the Keystone State by two points, and Democrats lost two congressional seats, including Lehigh Valley Democrat U.S. Rep. Susan Wild.
The three Delaware Valley Democratic incumbents, however, Reps. Madeleine Dean, Chrissy Houlahan, and Mary Gay Scanlon, had no trouble holding on to their seats, according to unofficial returns.
Fitzpatrick’s seat was one Pennsylvania Democrats believed they could flip due to Bucks County’s status as a swing county.
Fitzpatrick faced Democrat Ashley Ehasz in a rematch of 2022. He coasted to victory with 57 percent of the vote. That’s a slight improvement from his 54 percent in 2022.
“Voters know Rep. Fitzpatrick will continue to fight relentlessly in Congress to ensure Pennsylvania communities are safe, prosperous and free,” said National Republican Congressional Campaign (NRCC) spokesman Mike Marinella.
Ehasz focused on the abortion issue during her campaign. She expressed disappointment with the 2024 election outcome.
“It’s a dark morning in America, and Brian Fitzpatrick has a responsibility to stand up for our democracy, and the hundreds of thousands of women he represents, to protect our freedoms,” said Ehasz.
Houlahan bested Republican Neil Young, winning 56 percent of the vote. The Chester Democrat thanked Young for running, and she thanked the voters for their trust.
“I will continue to serve my District and nation with decency and an abiding commitment to democracy,” she posted on X.
Like Ehasz, Houlahan portrayed Trump’s victory as troubling and confusing, and she urged her supporters to “take time to grieve.”
“The election last night broke my heart and head. I’m certain there are many of you out there who feel similarly dizzied by the results,” Houlahan said.
Both Dean and Scanlon trounced their Republican opponents.
Dean received 59 percent of the vote in Montgomery County versus David Winkler’s 41 percent. Scanlon received 65 percent of the vote in Delaware County to Alfeia Goodwin’s 35 percent.
Meanwhile, Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh), representing a GOP-friendly district, lost to state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh). She was endorsed by prominent Republican Liz Cheney, a former member of Congress from Wyoming and daughter of former GOP Vice President Dick Cheney.
“It is an honor to be entrusted with the job of fighting for you, and together, we can achieve prosperity, security and a better direction for our country and local communities,” Mackenzie wrote on social media after Wild conceded on Wednesday.
Wild called her loss “bitterly disappointing” and promised to ensure a smooth transition of power because “the people of this district deserve nothing less.” Wild said she loved representing the Greater Lehigh Valley because it was the “greatest privilege of my life.”
She added her work in Congress showed there’s more to Pennsylvania than Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania’s 17-member congressional delegation will be split between 9 Republicans to 8 Democrats when the new Congress convenes in January.
