WirePOLITICS: Boyle reacts to Republican win for his former seat

Tom Waring, the Wire

Last week, Republicans captured the Pennsylvania House of Representatives seat formerly held by U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-13th dist.).

[caption id=”” align=”alignright” width=”300"]

MARIA POUCHNIKOVA / WIRE PHOTO Republican Martina White declared victory in a special election in the 170th Legislative District last week. She watched results in at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 with family, union president John McNesby, state Rep. John Taylor, City Councilman Denny O’Brien and former state Rep. George Kenney.[/caption]

Republican Martina White defeated Democrat Sarah DelRicci by a vote of 3,563 to 2,802, or 56 percent to 44 percent. There were three write-in votes.

Boyle wanted a former aide, Seth Kaplan, to be the Democratic nominee. But, ward leaders Mike McAleer and Mike Stack, the lieutenant governor, chose DelRicci.

“I congratulate Martina White on her win,” Boyle said. “She clearly was the harder-working candidate and it showed in the results. I was proud to become the first Democrat to win this seat six years ago and to win re-election three times. This could have remained a Democratic seat. But unfortunately, a couple of Democratic ward leaders in the district chose personal relationships over the best interests of Northeast Philadelphia, the Democratic Party and an extremely important ally — organized labor. Unions are a valuable component of the Democratic organization and should be treated with respect when it’s time for candidate selection. That didn’t happen in this election.”