Election roundup: Democrats hold seats, flip one in Hatfield

 Voters across the North Penn region appear to have largely returned Democrats back to office, according to unofficial vote totals Wednesday morning.

HATFIELD TOWNSHIP

Two seats on Hatfield’s board of commissioners were on the ballot, and vote totals indicate a split result, with one seat flipping from red to blue.

Democrat Karla D’Alessio had a narrow lead over Republican Erin Blanc by a margin of 420 votes to 378, in the race for a seat from the town’s Ward 2, four years after D’Alessio fell short against then-incumbent Republican Bob Rodgers who chose not to run again.

    Karla D’Alessio (Submitted photo)
  

D’Alessio said Wednesday she is “honored by the trust my neighbors have placed in me and look forward to working alongside Hatfield Township staff and my fellow board members to serve our community with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to public service.” Blanc declined to comment on the results.

In Hatfield’s Ward 4, three-term incumbent Republican Tom Zipfel led against Democrat Donald McGowan, a rematch of their race from 2021: county vote totals put Zipfel with 968 votes compared to 735 for McGowan.

“I’m definitely ready for another four years, and certainly excited to continue to serve. Most people know that this is an unpaid, volunteer position, so it’s really an opportunity to give back to the community,” Zipfel said.

    Tom Zipfel (Submitted photo)
  

As board president since the early 2010s, Zipfel said Wednesday he’s most proud of being able to connect those in need with local businesses and resources that could help them, such as a supply drive for flooding victims in North Carolina in summer 2024.

“While that isn’t necessarily part of the day to day responsibilities of a commissioner, certainly connecting resources: one who needs the other, and one who can help the other, is a huge opportunity to help the community as a whole,” Zipfel said.

“I know I can work with anyone, and I have confidence I’ll continue to work well with the folks on the board,” he said.

In the Hatfield Township tax collector race, unofficial figures show Republican Daniel J. Reavy was re-elected to the post, with 3,321 total votes against Democratic challenger Md Shahriar Kabir's 3,098 total votes, according to unofficial Montgomery County voting results. 

Kabir received 1,973 Election Day votes to Reavy's 2,617, but he dominated mail-ins at 1,973 versus 704 for Reavy.

NORTH WALES

Familiar names are back for more in North Wales, as the next mayor of the town will be the current one.

Incumbent Democrat Neil McDevitt prevailed over Republican Greg D’Angelo for a four-year term as mayor, the third straight election those two have faced off. Vote totals posted by Montgomery County put McDevitt with a total of 868 votes to 413 for D’Angelo.

    Neil McDevitt (Submitted photo)
  

“Thank you, North Wales, for your trust and faith in reelecting me to a second term as your Mayor! Congratulations to all of the Council candidates who successfully kept or gained their seats. We look forward to continuing to move North Wales forward in a constructive way! And thanks to all who ran for office, regardless of the outcome. As always, the people who worked the polls and ensured the security and safety of our electoral system deserve our thanks,” McDevitt said Wednesday.

D’Angelo also appears to have fallen short elsewhere on the ballot, running behind incumbent Democrats Anji Fazio and Sally Neiderhiser for two council seats on the ballot; county vote totals gave Fazio 341 votes, Neiderhiser 334 and D’Angelo 185.

“I’m so grateful to everyone who came out and made their voices heard. Your trust truly means the world to me. Serving this community is an honor, and I’m excited to keep working side by side with our residents to make our borough an even better place to call home,” Fazio said.

Elsewhere around the town, Democrats Melanie Catenese in Ward 1, Susan Manning and incumbent Alex Groce in Ward 2 all ran unopposed for four-year terms, and newly appointed Candace Anderson in Ward 1 and Star Little in Ward 3 ran and were elected to two-year terms.

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP

Democrats appear to have held two seats in Montgomery Township too, as incumbent Beth Staab and newcomer Eric Pelletier appear to have topped Republican challengers Steve Fedele and John Dale.

“Many thanks to all the voters of Montgomery Township who put their trust in me to be one of your supervisors. I am ready to serve the needs of the township and am excited to get started this January,” Pelletier said.

    Montgomery Township Democtraic Committee endorsed candidates include incumbent Supervisor Beth Staab, second from left, and Eric Pelletier, second from right, tax collector candidate Tina Stoll, far left, and auditor caniddate Winter Morris (Credit: Montgomery Township Democratic Committee)
  

Wednesday vote totals put Staab well ahead of all others with 6,052 total votes to secure a second six-year term on that board, followed by newcomer Pelletier with 5,674, then Fedele wit h3,152 and Dale with 3,065.

“It was a fun experience and it was great to interact with the community. I made a lot of new friends as well as reconnecting with so many others. I wish Beth and Eric a successful and enjoyable term in office and hope the best for Montgomery Township in the future,” Dale said.

UPPER GWYNEDD

Two incumbent Democrats have also held seats in Upper Gwynedd, as current commissioners Denise Hull and Liz McNaney more than doubled the vote totals of Republican challengers Dennis Darr and Viraf Jacob. In vote totals posted by the county Wednesday, Hull topped all candidates with 4,249 votes, followed by McNaney with 4,168, then Darr with 2,027 and Jacob with 1,906.

“What an incredible honor to receive your vote of confidence yesterday. These last nine years I have worked hard to appreciate and celebrate this little corner of the world we call home, while exploring all the ways we could make it even more safe, accessible, efficient and welcoming,” Hull said Wednesday.

“As a community, I feel as if we’re always learning and growing and I’m so excited to be invited to lead that momentum. I promise to continue to do so with collaboration, integrity and grace. I can’t wait to get this next chapter started. Thank you. My heart is full,” she said.

McNaney said Wednesday that while the unconfirmed numbers were still unofficial, their lead looked “very strong, and I’m deeply honored by the trust the residents of Upper Gwynedd have placed in me for a third term. Thank you to everyone who voted, volunteered, shared feedback, and continues to stay engaged in our community.”

“Each of you helps make our township stronger. I’m energized about this new term and excited about what we can accomplish together. With the continued support of our residents and the dedication of our UG Township team, I’m confident that the best days of Upper Gwynedd are still ahead,” she said.

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