No big surprises in Delaware County, where Republicans held control of the county offices but Democrats gained local control in some new areas.

Republicans appeared poised to hold control of the Delaware County Council last night, defeating the Democratic candidates by ratios of roughly 5-3 for two seats, with more than 85 percent of the vote counted.

Republicans also led nearly 5-3 in the race for Common Pleas Court judge.

John J. "Jack" Whelan, 49, a lawyer from Ridley, won reelection to the council for a second four-year term.

State Rep. Mario C. Civera Jr., of Upper Darby, also appeared to win handily in his bid for election to the County Council. A special election will be scheduled to replace Civera, 63, who has represented the 164th District for nearly 30 years in Harrisburg.

The two Republicans defeated the Rev. Keith Collins, 49, of Ridley, and Nancy Baulis, 61, of Springfield.

Voters have elected an all-Republican council for 30 years, ever since the county did away with a requirement that kept at least one seat for a member of the minority party.

In the vote for an open seat on Delaware County Court, Linda A. Cartisano, chairwoman of the County Council, held a wide margin of votes over Democrat Nancy Rhoads Koons.

Running unopposed were Sheriff Joseph F. McGinn, Edward E. O'Lone for county controller, and incumbent Hugh A. Donaghue for register of wills - all Republicans.

Voter turnout was light - about 20 to 30 percent - with more voters casting ballots in heavily contested municipal races.

In the Seventh Ward, Second District of Upper Darby Township, 32 of the 230 registered voters had cast their ballots by 5:30 p.m. In the Northern District of Media Borough, which recorded 85 percent turnout last year, 257 of the 600 registered voters had cast a ballot by 7 p.m., said Jeffrey Deitch, judge of elections.

Despite Republican countywide victories, there was a silver lining for some Democrats - they were poised to take control in Radnor Township, a potential loss Republican leaders called "concerning."

"It's a very big deal," said Tony Campisi, vice chairman of the Delaware County Democrats. "I don't know that we ever controlled Radnor Township. If we have, it's been a very long time."

Democrats were also leading in the race for two council seats in Chester. Democrats have long held a strong registration edge in the city, but Republicans held the entire council and the mayor's office.

Still, Republicans yanked back some territory lost in the 2007 municipal election: Marple, Norwood, and Ridley Park were all trending Republican with votes still being counted last night.

"We did pretty good; the people are very, very happy with the results," said Thomas J. Judge Sr., head of the county GOP.

In Folcroft, Cliff Wilson, who has led the county Democratic Party since 1994, was defeated in his bid for mayor by Republican Robert Frey, according to unofficial results.

In Darby, former Mayor Paula Brown, a Democrat who ran as a Republican, was unsuccessful in her bid to unseat the current mayor, Helen Thomas.