On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Delaware County (Delco) residents cast their ballots in the 2026 midterm elections. National attention centered on the battle for control of Congress and Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial race, and Delco voters managed to weigh in on a major environmental spending bill and several contentious legislative races.
Delco Votes for Environmental Conservation
The most decisive local result came from a countywide referendum authorizing Delaware County to borrow up to $120 million for environmental conservation and infrastructural changes.
The measure passed overwhelmingly, receiving approximately three-quarters of the countywide vote. The funding will support projects aiming to protect drinking water sources, improving water quality, protecting wildlife and expanding public parks and greenways.
Opposing views primarily centered on concerns about public spending and the possibility that the financial implications of these projects could be too burdensome on the state. Critics questioned whether the county should undertake substantial debt amid broader concerns about housing affordability and the cost of living. The results, however, indicate that environmental protection remained a priority among a significant portion of Delco voters. The referendum’s overwhelmingly positive reception also indicates that support for conservation extends beyond traditionally progressive communities.
Victories for Democrats
Democratic candidates secured victories across the county’s state legislation. Namely, Elizabeth Moro defeated Republican incumbent Craig Williams in Pennsylvania’s 160th House District, achieving a complete House turn and eliminating Republican representation in the county. As the legislative cycle begins, every state legislator representing Delaware County will be a Democrat.
Beyond the referendum, the election further demonstrated a county-wide leftward shift alongside President Trump’s decreasing popularity and pre-election polling indications of falling support: Delco has become a uniformly Democratic stronghold, with Tuesday’s results reinforcing the complete House turn and Democratic influence in the region.
Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro won re-election against Republican challenger Stacey Garrity with 72.4% of the votes, while Mary Gay Scanlon secured her congressional seat against Republican challenger Nick Manganaro with 69.8%. Democratic Senator Tim Kearney defeated Republican challenger Gail Scott, receiving 68.4% of the vote in the 26th District. Democratic Representative Jennifer O’Mara also secured re-election in the 165th District, defeating Republican Deirdre McCleary with 67.8% of the vote.
Democrat Elizabeth Moro defeated Republican Craig Williams, receiving 52.9% of the districtwide vote. Williams had represented the district for three terms and his defeat marked a significant change in the 160th district, which retained Republican representatives for decades.
A Changing Political Landscape
The election results reflect broader demographic, economic, and political changes in the Philadelphia suburbs.
In recent years, Democratic candidates have garnered increasing support in the county. The shift became particularly apparent in the 2020 presidential election, when Joe Biden won Delaware County with 63% of the votes, and has continued in subsequent elections.
In the 2026 election, Democrats not only maintained their existing legislative seats but also expanded their reach into previously Republican territory.
Implications for Pennsylvania
The results in Delaware County also carry implications for the broader political landscape in Pennsylvania.
Democrats retaining the governorship and strengthening their position in the state legislature demonstrate how the party can begin with its new reforms and changes to the previous legislative leadership. These include raising the state minimum wage as well as expanding public transportation funding and increasing renewable energy investment. The Democrats’ victories across Delaware County, especially in traditionally Republican areas, highlight the importance of the region in determining legislative priorities.
While the full implications of these results will largely depend on whether newly elected members stand by their stated campaign promises and to what extent they allocate funding, the midterm elections marked another important chapter in Delaware County’s political landscape.
