"We Work for You" Brand Boosts Dems, Says Campaign Manager

Democratic Victory in Delaware County

Delaware County's political parties have been analyzing the results of the recent elections, with Democrats highlighting a strong endorsement of their governance and policies. According to the party, voters appreciated the effective leadership and positive direction being taken in the county. On the other hand, Republicans emphasized that local issues were overshadowed by broader concerns, as most voters focused on national and state-level matters.

The Democrats made significant gains, sweeping all top county-level races, including positions for judges, county council, and row offices. They also made inroads in various municipal races. While Republicans managed to retain some school board positions, they faced losses in other areas.

Salvatore Colleluori, the campaign manager for the countywide Democratic candidates, highlighted the impressive margins of victory. He noted that Jack Stollsteimer received a lead of 65,000 votes, while the county council race saw a margin of 50,000 votes. Colleluori pointed out the success at the municipal level, particularly in places like Upper Darby, Ridley Park, and Prospect Park.

He emphasized that the Democratic brand was strong, with a clear message of working for the people. "Our vision for moving the county forward was clear to the voters," he said. "This is an endorsement of that vision going forward."

Colleluori also pointed to the importance of the state Supreme Court retention, which had a ripple effect down to local races. For instance, Democrat Laura Shaw defeated Republican Louis J. Marcozzi Jr. in the Middletown constable race.

The election night was seen as a positive outcome for the county, with voters backing the Democratic message of service and community care. Colleluori noted that there was a lot of energy around the retention issue, as voters were dissatisfied with external influences trying to meddle in local affairs.

He praised the work of the county council and row officers, emphasizing that the voters recognized and appreciated their efforts. Colleluori pointed out that under Republican rule, the county budget was only 16 pages long, whereas last year’s was 342 pages. "I think people felt that and they wanted to endorse that vision," he said.

With the election of Joanne Phillips as county controller and the re-election of Richard Womack as county council vice chair, the Democrats aim to focus on cutting spending and using taxpayer dollars wisely. Colleluori reiterated that the voters endorsed the need to take care of one another and the community.

The Democrats ran a positive campaign, focusing on the impact of their work on residents' daily lives and the achievements of their candidates. "I’m proud of my candidates and the work they put in," he said. "They knocked on thousands of doors, and the results clearly show that it worked."

Republican Perspective

Frank Agovino, chairman of the Delaware County Republican Party, discussed how the majority of voters focused on issues like judicial retention rather than local concerns. "A decade ago, these municipal races were always about local issues," he said. "Now, I do think that national feelings trump local issues. The statewide judicial retention issue brought a lot of people out that voted against us."

Agovino emphasized that the local GOP prioritized what was happening in Delaware County, focusing on issues such as rising taxes. "We just stuck with the facts," he said. "I guess there’s a whole lot of people that don’t care about local issues, which is a little shocking to me."

He noted that both parties had strong voter turnout, with county estimates showing that 45% of the 409,072 registered voters cast ballots. "They just had better numbers," Agovino conceded.

He also mentioned that some Republicans did not vote for Republican candidates in the local election. While his focus is to win them back, he acknowledged that politics can change quickly. "In politics, things go south as quickly as they could come back," he said. "I think the national tenor went against us yesterday but that could change in a cycle."

Agovino expressed concern over the county's financial situation, citing a structural deficit and bloated agencies. "There’s nothing to celebrate or be proud of," he said. He noted that those who voted Republican did so out of concern for the county's future.

He thanked the GOP candidates for their work, acknowledging that they put their lives on hold for a year. "We were hoping for better," he said. "I think Republicans came out and voted on the issues: taxes and mismanagement."

Agovino believes that in order to win again, the GOP will need support from voters on the other side of the aisle. "At the end of the day, we still need some Democrats to walk our way," he said.

The Write-In Candidate

Charles Alexander, a write-in candidate who sought the Republican nomination in the primary but was disqualified due to a technicality, spoke about the election. He criticized the Delaware County GOP, calling them an outdated organization that has lost touch with the people. "They are clearly in bed with the Democrats," he said.

Alexander claimed that the GOP does not care about the people, focusing instead on "fondue fountains and drinks." He criticized the use of a limo SUV for some candidates, suggesting that funds should have been used for campaign awareness instead.

While Agovino did not respond directly to Alexander, he stated, "I am all in for common goals."

Alexander focused on issues such as taxes and crime, warning that the Democrats' tax increases would hurt residents. "After the Dems get done with their tax increases this year and next year, our people are going to be squeezed very tight," he said.

He called for change, stating that real pain would come if the current political system continues. "Don’t rely on that coming from the Delco Dems or the Delco GOP," he said. "We the people, the Concerned Citizens of Delaware County — find us on Facebook — are going to need to do what’s best for us and get elected."

Alexander urged unity among Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, aiming to build a movement that supports the best interests of the county's residents. "If we can build that, then in 2027, when control of that council comes up, we can run our own people, Delco faithful, and make right all the wrongs the political elite have wrought here."