In Philly region, three Democrats, one Republican keep U.S. House seats

The electoral wave that carried dozens of newcomers into the House of Representatives didn't touch every incumbent in the region.

Three Democrats in and around Philadelphia retained their congressional seats, as did one Republican in the western suburbs.

Democrat Bob Brady had it easiest. Brady, the chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic Party, was unopposed in his bid for a seventh term representing the First Congressional District.

In the neighboring Second District, which includes parts of the city and Montgomery County, Democrat Chaka Fattah won his eighth term with a victory over Republican Rick Hellberg, who owns a financial-services firm and had the backing of some tea party supporters.

Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, a Democrat whose 13th District stretches from North Philadelphia up through Montgomery County, won her fourth consecutive term. Schwartz topped Republican Dee Adcock, a Rydal business owner.

And in the 16th District, which covers parts of Chester and Berks Counties and all of Lancaster County, Rep. Joe Pitts, a Republican, scored another victory over Democrat Lois Herr. Pitts, who has held the seat since 1997, has faced off against Herr three times and won each time.