We now know who the Ridley Republicans want to replace state Rep. Nick Miccarelli in the 162nd District race.
And it's a familiar name.
As had been hinted, former county Sheriff Mary McFall Hopper is the GOP's choice.
But her name won't appear on the ballot. Instead she will have to bank on a write-in vote.
That's because Miccarelli, who has been under siege after two women came forward to accuse him of physical and emotional abuse, did not decide not to seek re-election until it was too late for Republicans to get another name on the ballot.
Miccarelli, by the way, continues to deny the allegations made against him.
But after insisting that he was running for re-election, "come hell or high water," I guess the water got a little too high.
Hopper, who spent two terms on Ridley Park Borough Council and was also its first female president, also served as a Republican committeewoman and is a member of the Delaware County Women's Commission.
She fell victim to the Democratic tide that swept Delco in last November's general elections, which saw the Dems snag both seats up for grabs on County Council, as well as all three county row offices. In the process they turned out Hopper in her re-election effort as county sheriff.
Picking a woman is something many political insiders predicted. It's one way for the local GOP to fend off what some are calling the "year of the woman" in the wake of #Metoo revolution sweeping politics.
But Hopper is a lot more than that. She's a solid candidate with all the credentials to serve in the state Legislature.
She will face Democrat Dave Delloso, president of Teamsters Local 312 and a U.S. Marine Corps vet, as well as Libertarian W. David Medina.
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