Delaware County election preview

By Joelle Farrell

Inquirer Staff Writer

Democrats have made steady gains in the Pennsylvania suburbs, but Republicans still rule Delaware County. They control the vast majority of the 49 municipalities, the row offices, and the judgeships, and have had a lock on County Council for 30 years.

In an odd-year election with no high-profile contests expected to alter the typical 30 percent turnout, Republicans are confident they'll maintain control, said Thomas J. Judge Sr., chairman of the county GOP.

But Democrats are betting that more party loyalists will vote this year, in part because last year's presidential election fired up the base and reaped more Democratic registrations than the party had ever seen.

Topping the ballot are races for judge and County Council.

Linda A. Cartisano, the council chair, is running for a seat on Common Pleas Court. The Chester Republican faces Democrat Nancy Rhoads Koons of Radnor.

Cartisano has served on the council since 2002. A lawyer for more than 30 years, she determined custody matters in family court as custody conciliator from 1996 to 1999. She also has served as solicitor for several municipalities and boards, including the City of Chester and the Norwood zoning hearing board. Cartisano has pledged to dismiss frivolous lawsuits and keep victims of crimes informed and involved in the court process.

Koons has worked as a trial lawyer, for defendants and plaintiffs, for more than 25 years. A member of the bars in Pennsylvania and New York, she said her experience outside the county had shown her programs she believes should be instituted at the Delaware County court, including a mentoring program for at-risk youths.

With Cartisano vacating her council seat and Republican John J. "Jack" Whelan, 49, a lawyer from Ridley, running for reelection, two spots are up for grabs.

The second GOP candidate, State Rep. Mario J. Civera Jr., 63, of Upper Darby, has represented the 164th District for nearly 30 years in Harrisburg, and has served as minority chairman of the Appropriations Committee since November 2006.

If Civera wins, he will resign from the House.

Democrats are running a minister and a Philadelphia science teacher for the council seats.

The Rev. Keith Collins, 49, pastor at the Church of the Overcomer in Trainer, lives in Ridley. He also is director of clinical visitation for the Elwyn Institute human-services organization.

Nancy Baulis, 61, of Springfield, is taking a second shot at the council after an unsuccessful bid in 2005. She led the local Democratic Party until this year.

Sheriff Joseph F. McGinn, a Republican from Lower Chichester, is running unopposed after a victory in May's primary. Also running unopposed are Republican Edward E. O'Lone of Marple Township to replace County Controller Cynthia Felzer Leitzell, who could not seek reelection because of the position's two-term limit, and incumbent Republican Hugh A. Donaghue for register of wills.

Democrats hope to make inroads at the municipal level, where they hold a majority in only eight municipalities, said Tony Campisi, vice chairman of the county Democrats.

Cliff Wilson, 62, who has led the county Democratic Party for 15 years, is running for mayor of Folcroft. Republicans have held that office for more than 30 years, Wilson said. Wilson will face Republican Robert Frey, 61, a Borough Council member who defeated incumbent Charles "Pat" Vivial in the primary.

In Darby, Mayor Helen Thomas will face Paula Brown, whom she ousted in 2005. Brown's eight years as mayor were marked by controversy, including a standoff between her and the Borough Council that received national attention when Brown barricaded herself in her office.

Brown is running as a Republican after losing to Thomas in the Democratic primary.

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

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