By Chris Comisac
Bureau Chief
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG (Nov. 5) – With all the talk the last couple of months about a possible Democratic majority in the state Senate – and the potential political coattails of Democrat Tom Wolf’s historic gubernatorial win – you’d think Senate Democrats would have made a better showing on Election Day.
They didn’t.
In fact, the four-vote deficit they had coming into the Tuesday’s election grew to a seven-vote deficit, 30-20, based on unofficial election results.
Not only didn’t the Democrats pick off any seats in southeastern Pennsylvania – including the open 26th Senatorial District – but they failed to win the open 40th Senatorial District which had been a Democrat-held seat before the latest round of redistricting moved it from the Pittsburgh area to the Poconos. Making matters worse, they didn’t keep the 32nd Senatorial District – open because of the retirement of Sen. Rich Kasunic, D-Fayette – in Democratic hands and they were unable to defend one of their incumbents – Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Washington – in the 46th Senatorial District.
When the 2015-16 legislative session begins, Senate Republicans – like House Republicans – will have a larger majority than they have now, which means Gov.-elect Tom Wolf will have to expect to make some compromises to get things done, according to Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware.
“When it’s all said and done, after the election we’re expected to govern,” said Pileggi. “This situation is not much different from when the Senate had a Republican Majority and Ed Rendell was governor.
“There has to be some give and take to get things done.”
Pileggi credited the Republican wins to great candidates and well-drawn senatorial districts, as well as the “pragmatic approach” the Senate Republican Caucus has had with regard to legislating.
In the 32nd District, a seat that Kasunic had held for Democrats since 1995 (and has been in Democratic hands dating back to 1957), Republican Patrick Stefano defeated state Rep. Deb Kula, D-Fayette, 57 percent to 43 percent, with nearly all precincts reporting.
In a not-so-shocking “shocker,” incumbent Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Washington, lost to Republican Camera Bartolotta, 47 percent to 53 percent. Solobay was first elected to the state Senate in 2011, but to the 48th Senatorial District, which was altered in the last legislative redistricting process and moved to central Pennsylvania (Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon, now represents the district). Solobay’s new 46th District proved to be a more winnable target for Senate Republicans, who tried to win the old 48th in 2010, but came up short against Solobay.
Another redistricting product – the new 40th District – was handily won by state Rep. Mario Scavello, R-Monroe, for whom – it was said by many – the district was drawn. Unofficial results show Scavello defeating Democrat Mark Aurand 59 percent to 41 percent. The district had been held by retiring Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Allegheny, until it was moved to northeastern Pennsylvania.
Democrats had thought they might see gains in southeastern Pennsylvania, but they struck out in every district currently held by Republicans, including the 26th District seat left open by the retirement of Sen. Edwin “Ted” Erickson, R-Delaware.
The Philadelphia collar counties have been trending Democrat, and Senate Democrat were hopeful John Kane would defeat Republican Tom McGarrigle. However, McGarrigle ran as a moderate Republican, supporting such things as a natural gas severance tax (like many of the southeastern GOP incumbent senators) and increased education spending (to be funded by the severance tax), and ultimately defeated – although narrowly – Kane, 52 percent to 48 percent.
Collar county incumbent GOP Sens. Robert “Tommy” Tomlinson (6th District), Chuck McIlhinney (10th), Stewart Greenleaf (12th), Bob Mensch (24th) and John Rafferty (44th) all cruised to victory over the Democratic opposition.
In addition to new faces Scavello, McGarrigle, Bartolotta and Stefano, the Senate appears – based on unofficial results – it will also welcome as freshman state senators Arthur L Haywood III (in the 4th Senatorial District vacated by Leanna Washington, D-Philadelphia), state Rep. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster (in the 36th District, open due to the retirement of Sen. Mike Brubaker, R-Lancaster), and state Rep. Michelle Brooks, R-Mercer (in the 50th District, open due to the retirement of Sen. Bob Robbins, R-Mercer).
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