Looking for a hot contest in November?
I'm not talking about the battle for the White House.
I'm talking local.
Delco will have several interesting contests.
We've already talked about the tussle in which it appears local union leader John Kane will try to wrest away the 9th District state Senate seat from incumbent Republican Tom Killion. Kane got the nod from Delaware County Democrats, and is hoping to win the support of the Chesco Dems next week. The 9th covers towns in both counties.
Then there is what should be a barn-burner in the 160th state House race.
For the past couple of decades, that has been the turf of Republican Steve Barrar. But the longtime rep is retiring at the end of this term and will not seek re-election.
Craig Williams has won the support of both the Delaware County and Chester County GOP.
It looks like he could face Cathy Spahr, head of the Upper Chichester Democrats, who won the Delco Dems endorsement.
Spahr is a mother of twin boys and touts her experience in local government. She currently serves as the Codes, Planning & Zoning Administrative Coordinator for Newtown Township. Spahr previously worked as an environmental consultant in the engineering industry.
Before tangling with Williams in the general election, Spahr will have to fend off Anton Andrew, an attorney from Kennett Square, in the April primary. Andrew came within just 900 votes of unseating Barrar two years ago.
“I am thrilled and humbled to have earned the trust of my fellow Delco Dems," Spahr wrote on social media, “and I promise I won’t pause for a moment until we flip the 160th.” She added, “Now let’s go knock some doors!”
Chichester is the heart of the 160th. It also happens to be one of the most ardent Republican areas left in Delaware County, which has seen a blue wave topple several longtime Republican public officials, from county council, to county row offices, to the House and Senate in Harrisburg.
The 160th District covers parts of Chester and Delaware counties. The district includes Chadds Ford, Concord, Bethel and part of Upper Chichester townships in Delaware County, as well as Kennett Square, Pennsbury, and Pocopson Townships in Chester County.
Can Williams overcome the anti-Trump backlash that Delco GOP boss Tom McGarrigle believes cost him his state Senate seat?
Can Spahr hold off Andrew, then take one of the few seats that has eluded the Dems' grasp, in large part because it sits in the heart of the remaining GOP strength in the county?
Stay tuned.
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