The Delco GOP must really loathe the thought of losing Upper Darby's other seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
They already saw the 164th, manned for decades by Mario Civera, fall into Democrats' hands when Civera left the House to run for County Council. Margo Davidson captured that seat.
Now much the same scenario is playing out in the wake of the decision by longtime state Rep. Nick Micozzie, R-163, to retire. He represented the 163rd for more than three decades.
Democrat Vince Rongione is facing off with Republican Upper Darby Councilman Jamie Santora for the seat.
Both are solid candidates.
But much of the talk in the race has veered away from the key issues facing the district, and instead have zoomed in on Rongione's residency.
The county Republican Party has for months now blasted away at Rongione for moving into the district solely so he could run for this seat.
But this week they turned up the heat.
They hired private investigators who have turned up what the GOP claims is evidence that - before he actually moved into his current residence - Rongione actually registered to vote from a house where he didn't live.
They went so far as to accuse Rongione of engaging in voter fraud.
We'll let the courts figure that one out, if they in fact find there is reason to pursue the case.
But it does tell you that the Delco GOP, which was once nearly invincible in Delaware County, is starting to sweat. They've already seen overall Democratic registration numbers overtake their once insurmountable nearly 3-1 edge.
They've seen towns and school boards in what were once solidly Republican areas start voting for Dems.
And they have seen the county consistently going Democratic in statewide and national races.
The next thing you know a Democrat is going to be elected to County Council.
Uh, maybe not. Things probably haven't changed that much.
At least not yet.
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