Democrat Heather Boyd won the special election to replace former state Rep. Mike Zabel of Delaware, maintaining the Democratic majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives by one vote.
According to unofficial data, Boyd, a former congressional staffer from Upper Darby Township, received about 60% of the vote in the election. The competition coincided with Tuesday’s local elections.
Her Republican opponent, Katie Ford, coming from a moderately conservative platform, received about 40% of the votes, with about 1% of the votes cast for the libertarian candidate Alfe Goodwin, according to unofficial data.
Boyd arrived at a post-election event at Casey’s Saloon and Restaurant in Drexel Hill, where, amid raucous cheers and chants, she thanked her supporters and family for their efforts during the eight-week campaign.
Democrat Heather Boyd declared victory in the special election for Pa.’s 163rd congressional district. pic.twitter.com/OQ4OhW14Aw
— Peter Hall (@PeteHallPA) May 17, 2023
Multiple House Democratic leaders were in attendance, including Majority Leader Matt Bradford of Montgomery County and Appropriations Committee Chairman Jordan Harris of Philadelphia.
“This election was about all of you in this room and countless others who are not here today who cared enough, believed enough and worked hard enough to make a difference,” Boyd said.
Ford declined to comment in a text message.
Gov. Josh Shapiro congratulated Boyd in a tweet and said he looked forward to working with her as Delaware County’s newest state representative.
“Together we will work to do everything for the people of Pennsylvania and protect true freedom,” Shapiro wrote on Twitter. “And Delco: Thank you for showing up to defend our rights and the Democratic House majority.”
Heather Boyd is a teacher, mom, public servant, and now Delaware County’s newest state representative.
Together we will advocate for the people of Pennsylvania and protect true freedom.
And Delco: Thank you for showing up to defend our rights and the Democratic House majority.
— Josh Shapiro (@JoshShapiroPA) May 17, 2023
Former U.S. Attorney General and National Democratic Redistricting Committee chairman Eric Holder said in a statement that Boyd’s election would protect the rights and freedoms of her voters. He attributed the Democratic House majority’s victory to the recent redrawing of Pennsylvania’s legislative districts.
“For the past decade, gerrymandered maps have allowed Republicans to maintain steadfast, unfair control of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. These new maps are a victory for democracy and the people of Pennsylvania,” Holder said.
In another special election for Republican Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver for the former 108th House District seat in Northumberland and Montour counties, Republican Michael Stender defeated Democrat Trevor Finn in a similarly lopsided election, winning nearly 66% of the vote, according to unofficial records.
Boyd received more than $1 million in support from the House Democratic Campaign Committee, which paid for campaign ads critical of Ford’s stance on abortion and her suitability for state office in lithe of her record of bankruptcies.
Ford responded in ads in which she told voters her financial woes were the result of her decision to find treatment for her autistic son.
Ford also said during the televised debate that she would not support a proposed constitutional amendment stating there is no constitutional right to abortion or state funding for the procedure, which was approved by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.
Under the state constitution, an amendment must pass both chambers in consecutive sessions before being put to a vote.
Boyd attributed her victory to the work of volunteers who knocked on tens of thousands of doors in the district to spread the word about the election.
“You rolled up your sleeves, got to work and made the 163rd heard,” Boyd said.
Democratic leaders have said the district will be a sheltered place for Democrats in the general election, with candidates for president or governor on the ballot. But in a primary dominated by partisan super voters, a Democratic victory was far from assured.
Boyd said she felt the weight of the election’s consequences, but tried not to focus on them in her campaign.
“I tried not to focus on it because ultimately it’s about my district. … Most challenge themselves. And that’s someone else’s business,” Boyd said. “For me, it was focused on voters. This is my community. That’s where I feel strongest.”
