In Tuesday's election, neither President-elect Donald Trump nor Sen.-elect David McCormick came close to winning Philadelphia County, but the Republican Party still scored a historic victory in the Blue Fort and expanded Republican overrepresentation nationwide. reflects the performance.
In Northeast Philadelphia, the most moderate part of the liberal city, Joe Picozzi defeated Democratic state Sen. Jimmy Dillon 50.5% to 49.5% in the 5th District. The victory marked the first citywide victory for Republicans at the state Senate level in nearly 30 years.
Five of Philadelphia's seven state Senate districts are also the most recent to turn red, with former state Sen. Frank Salvatore last reelected in 1996. Salvatore lost in 2000 to Mike Stack, who later became lieutenant governor.
The longest-abandoned seat is Democratic state Sen. Vincent Hughes' seat in northwest Philadelphia, the first Republican to hold the seat in the state since Augustus F. Dykes Jr. in 1932. I don't have it.
Picozzi, a Tacony resident, is the son of a Philadelphia firefighter and a former member of the Philadelphia Youth Commission. He was considered a political newcomer and was reportedly endorsed by the state Republican Party, but not the Philly GOP.
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Philadelphia skyline photo. (Ed Jones/Getty)
The Penn Capital Star and other news outlets carried similar reports, and the state Senate's Republican campaign arm and state Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward expressed their full support.
In a Facebook post after Picozzi's victory, the Philadelphia Republican Party “lauded his tireless efforts to defeat a stalwart incumbent state senator.”
“Joe Picozzi soundly defeated his opponent to give Philadelphia a Republican voice in the Pennsylvania State Senate,” the post added, followed by replies from users criticizing the non-endorsement.
Ward told the Capital Star that Picozzi worked “24/7” and “gave his all” in the uphill battle to flip the sheets.
“I don’t know that you can win that seat just by a candidate who isn’t going to do the job that way,” she said.
According to WCAU, Dillon conceded to Picozzi on Sunday, saying he hopes to “contribute to our neighborhoods” and “make Northeast Philadelphia stronger and safer for everyone who calls it home.” He said that
“Elected Democrats” in the area told investigators that Mr. Dillon's loss was the “most embarrassing” event of the election and that Mr. Picozzi was not taken as seriously as he should have been. The paper said Democrats spent $254,000 on the campaign, but most of that money disappeared in the final weeks.
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Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (right) watches President Biden give a speech. (Julia Nickinson/AFP)
Picozzi made crime a top issue in his election campaign. Philadelphia is ravaged by looting, flash mobs, and wild, unauthorized “car meets” that take place in Center City in the middle of the night. During protests following the 2020 police-involved shooting of a Black man, a Walmart near the Picozzi neighborhood on Aramingo Avenue was looted.
The area includes residential areas such as Mayfair, Lawnhurst, Somerton and Torresdale. Notably, it's just inside the city limits of Trevo's McDonald's, where President Trump cooked fries and served drive-thru customers during his campaign.
Picozzi released a statement on social media saying, “Over the past year, I have spoken to thousands of people who have touched my heart deeply and forever. Thank you for trusting me as your next state senator. I am grateful to you.” .
“I want to thank Senator Dillon for his service to our home. It's time for all of us to come together as one community to find common sense solutions to heal and keep Northeast Philadelphia safe. .”
Outgoing Pennsylvania Sen. Jimmy Dillon, D-Philadelphia. (PA communication)
Although he was considered a political newcomer when it came to campaigning, he briefly worked on the staff of then-Congressman. Kevin McCarthy, Republican of California, attends Georgetown University.
Democratic community leaders in Fox Chase, along the city border with Montgomery County, were asked about the race by the Philadelphia Inquirer before Election Day.
He compared Northeast Philadelphia to Bucks County, which was at the vanguard of the “swing” that garnered national media attention in the final stages of the 2024 election.
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Brian Edith told the newspaper that voters in that part of the city tend to vote based on issues rather than candidates, regardless of partisan registration.
Republicans needed a significant victory to maintain their six-seat majority there after recent redistricting made metropolitan areas like Allentown and Harrisburg favorable hosting districts for Democrats. . Democrats currently control the 203-member state House by one vote, and Gov. Josh Shapiro is a Democrat.
Ward pointed to the example of Harrisburg, where Democrat Patti Kim won the long-held Republican seat vacated by retiring state Sen. John DiSanto, in that Picozzi's win would maintain his statewide margin. pointed out.
Mr. Trump lost in Philadelphia 79% to 20%, and Sen.-elect David McCormick also lost 78% to 19%.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the PhillyGOP and Pennsylvania Republican Party for comment.
