GOP backs Tom Killion for 9th District state Senate seat

That didn't take long.

The GOP has the man they hope will succeed state Sen. Dominic Pileggi - and keep the seat on Republican hands.

State Rep. Tom Killion, R-168, of Middletown, got the nod at GOP confab in Concordville Thursday night.

Killion had made no secret of his desire to seek the seat and he will be the endorsed Republican in the special election to succeed Pileggi, who resigned his seat after winning a spot as a Delaware County judge. The special election will be held on Primary Day, April 26.

The 9th District, which once was primarily a Delco district, now snakes its way along southern Chester County all the way out to Kenntt Square. The Chester County portion of the district has not always felt as if they've had their voices heard, and some clearly did not believe Pileggi was conservative enough for their taste. It will be interesting to see if any other Republicans look to get on the ballot.

At least one Democrat, former Kennett Square Magisterial District Judge Dan Maisano, a former Republican, has indicated he will run. But Delaware County Democrats have indicated they are not lining up behind Maisano and will have their own endorsed candidate on the ballot.

A split Democratic ballot will not exactly help their chances of capturing the seat.

Of course, a win by Killion would then create still another open seat, the 168th in western Delaware County.

In the meantime, the GOP brass were quick to laud Killion.

“Tom Killion is ready to bring his common-sense approach to governing to the Senate,” said Rob Gleason, chairman of the state Republican Party. “During his time in the state House, Tom Killion has been a vocal supporter of keeping taxes low, protecting our open spaces, and implementing much-needed pension reform. Our party looks forward to working hard to elect Tom Killion and maintain our historic majority in the State Senate.”

Killion first won a seat in the state House in 2003. He has sat on several key House committees, including the House Appropriations Committee, Insurance, Liquor Control and Consumer Affairs Committees. House leaders named Killion chief deputy whip for the 2015-16 legislative session.

Killion also is a former chairman of Delaware County Council, where he served from 1992 to 2000.

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