Delco GOP-backed candidates nominated

By Joelle Farrell

Inquirer Staff Writer

The Delaware County GOP flexed its muscles again yesterday as endorsed candidates won nominations for County Council and sheriff.

In the race for two council nominations, the county Republican Party backed John Whelan of Ridley Township and Mario J. Civera Jr., a state representative from Upper Darby. Whelan and Civera were leading the unendorsed Republican candidate, Barbara Murray, by more than 2-1 last night, according to unofficial tallies.

"We gave it the best fight we could," said Murray. Civera and Whelan will face two Democrats in the fall: The Rev. Keith Collins, 49, of Ridley, a pastor at the Church of the Overcomer in Trainer, and Nancy Baulis, 61 of Springfield, who teaches science at a Philadelphia elementary school.

Among Democrats, Baulis was leading unendorsed Democratic candidate Elizabeth Williams of Chester by a comfortable margin with 93 percent of the vote counted. She was also leading Collins, the other endorsed candidate.

Referring to the light turnout for both parties among the county's 406,523 registered voters, Baulis predicted a "very different turnout" in the November election.

Democrats were hopeful that enthusiasm from last November's general election will help their candidates draw more campaign volunteers and drive a larger-than-usual turnout this fall. Democrats are looking to gain municipal seats and end the 30-year drought for Democrats on County Council.

Linda A. Cartisano of Chester, who serves on County Council, won the Republican nomination for County Court. She will face Democrat Nancy Rhoads Koons of Radnor.

Cartisano and Koons cross-filed in the primary, meaning either could have won both nominations and won the seat. Cartisano carried the Republican vote by more than 2-1, and Koons carried the Democratic side by a comfortable margin.

Sheriff Joseph F. McGinn bested Republican challenger Michael P. Boyle of Upper Darby, the unendorsed candidate.

Civera, 62, of Upper Darby, has represented the 164th District in Harrisburg since 1980 and serves as minority chairman of the Appropriations Committee.

Whelan, 49, is a lawyer who was elected to County Council in 2005.

Murray, 53, of Upper Darby, ran a campaign that touted her "outsider" status with the county party. She told voters she was an independent-minded Republican not beholden to county leadership.

Democratic voters now make up 42 percent of the electorate in Delaware County, compared with 34 percent in 2004. But Republicans still dominate in many municipalities and at the county level.

Contact staff writer Joelle Farrell at 610-627-0352 or at jfarrell@phillynews.com.

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