(*This story was updated at 6:20 PM on Thursday, November 17, 2022 to include total votes)
Democrats secured control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Thursday when incumbent Republican Todd Stephens, R-Montgomery, conceded defeat to Democratic challenger Melissa Cerrato.
Montgomery County election officials counted provisional ballots Thursday after Democratic and Republican party attorneys dropped challenges to their validity, said Philadelphia elections lawyer Adam Bonin, who is working with Democrats.
Bonin said there were 38 votes for Cerrato on the ballot, adding them to the 37 votes Cerrato received Wednesday, erasing the razor-thin 14-vote lead Stephens had earlier in the week. Since 2010, Stephens has represented the 151st Legislative District.
The total votes are 16,799–16,741 and Cerrato won by 58 votes.
I just received a polite congratulatory phone call from my opponent. I am grateful to @RepToddStephens for his past service to our community and his quick concession to ensure the balance of power in #PADom he is not suspended in court. Now let’s get to work. ✌️💪 @PaHouseDems
— Melissa Cerrato for PA (@Missy4PA) November 17, 2022
“I have spent months reminding voters of the importance of their votes and assuring them that every vote matters,” Cerrato said in a statement. “Now that every eligible vote has been counted, I have the great honor of accepting the results of this election and running as the next state representative of Pennsylvania’s 151st House District.”
Cerrato’s victory gives House Democrats the 102-seat majority needed to take control of the House from Republicans, who have controlled the lower chamber for all but four of the last 28 years. Democrats were the last majority from 2007-2010.
Cerrato said in a text message that Stephens “graciously called and agreed” on Thursday afternoon. Stephens did not return a call from the Capital-Star on Thursday evening.
