The races in the 5th Senatorial District and the 172nd Legislative District, as expected, were nail-biters.
Republican Joe Picozzi defeated Democratic Sen. Jimmy Dillon by 834 votes.
Democrat Sean Dougherty beat Republican Aizaz Gill by 504 votes in the 172nd district, the smallest margin among all state House races.
In a post on X, Picozzi said, “Over the last year, I talked to thousands of people who have touched my heart profoundly and eternally. I am grateful for the trust you have placed in me to serve you as your next State Senator. 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 restore and secure Northeast Philadelphia. I cannot thank you enough for the opportunity to serve as your next State Senator. I will not let you down.”
Dillon posted a statement on Facebook and Instagram, thanking his family, including daughters Reese and Aubrey, his mom and his brother Shawn, along with his staff and campaign team.
“To the community of Northeast Philadelphia, thank you for allowing me to represent you. Serving as your Senator has been the greatest honor of my life. Together, we achieved so much — more than $35 million in funding for our schools, our youth organizations, our trades, and our law enforcement. And to Joe Picozzi, congratulations. I hope you will carry forward the work of making Northeast Philly stronger and safer for all who call it home. I wish you every success in delivering for our neighbors. As for me, I will continue to serve the community in any way I can. Northeast Philly has always been my home, and I will always stand with the people who make it such a remarkable place. Thank you, Northeast Philly, for everything.”
Picozzi, who did not have the support of the Republican City Committee, prevailed, 50,526 to 49,692. He will become the first Republican to represent the 5th Senatorial District since Hank Salvatore, who served four terms before losing in 2000 to Mike Stack.
As for Dougherty, he said in a statement, “Now the work begins to bring home funding and legislation to benefit the 172nd including funding our schools, protecting women’s reproductive rights, increasing safety in the district and increasing good-paying jobs. I owe this win to each and every person who voted for me, every volunteer who knocked doors with me and my campaign staff.”
Dougherty won by a count of 12,823 to 12,319. A lawyer, he defeated Rep. Kevin Boyle in the primary.
Gill, president of the Burholme Civic Association, conceded in a post on Instagram and Facebook. He thanked his family and friends, campaign volunteers, supporters and even Dougherty supporters.
“After nearly a year of traversing our Northeast neighborhoods, knocking on the doors of more than 15,000 of our neighbors, listening to people’s concerns and sharing my ideas, this journey has ended and I must concede defeat in the race for State Representative. … We brought the Northeast’s most important issues to the forefront. … As we move forward, I wish Sean Dougherty the best in this new role and pray that he will answer to the will of local residents first and always. Because the Northeast, and you, deserves a State Representative committed to us.”
In other races, Democratic U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle defeated Republican challenger Aaron Bashir with 71 percent of the vote.
Donald Trump won five wards, including three in the Northeast, en route to winning Pennsylvania and the presidency.
Republican Dave McCormick was leading Democratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr. by about 22,000 votes as the Times went to press, before a recount.
Republican Dave Sunday was elected attorney general. Auditor General Tim DeFoor and State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, both Republicans, were re-elected. ••
