It's a Local Democratic Sweep

Democrats swept all five contested Lower Merion Board of Commissioners races in Tuesday's general election, keeping a 10-4 majority on the board.

The party beat Republican challengers in wards 1, 3, 7, 9 and 13. Democrat Cheryl Gelber was unopposed in Ward 5, as was Republican Lew Gould in Ward 11.

The closest race was in Ward 1, where incumbent Dan Bernheim beat A.J. Kait with 53 percent of the vote.

Kait, of Gladwyne, lost the race to Bernheim, of Penn Valley, by 693-605. Though Kait was told he won in the Gladwyne precinct 2-1, he lost in the two Penn Valley precincts.

Also, all five Democratic Lower Merion school board candidates beat the two independent candidates.

Lower Merion Republicans gathered at John Henry’s Pub in Ardmore to watch results come in and were disappointed by the results.

Lower Merion and Narberth Republican Committee Chairman Lance Rogers attributed the township losses to “tremendous spending” by Democratic candidates for Montgomery County commissioner Josh Shapiro and Leslie Richards, who won the election.

“They had some powerful and misleading messages they used on TV, and I think those took their toll,” Rogers said. “Republicans stayed home, and Democrats came out.”

“I think that the silver lining is that the township commissioner candidates performed extremely well,” Rogers added, given voter registration numbers. 

Richard Kaufman took 37 percent of the vote against Ward 9 incumbent George Manos, an outcome roughly proportional with registration figures.

“[Bala Cynwyd] residents are going to get the neighborhood that they wanted, and they’re not going to like it,” said Kaufman, who while running said City Avenue rezoning was one of the most important issues facing residents.

Vice President Paul McElhaney, the Democratic incumbent in Ward 3, won with 61 percent of the vote.

“I’m disappointed, but the people of Belmont Hills have spoken, and the best man won,” said McElhaney’s Republican challenger Ray Fullbright. “I wish him luck.”

Board President Liz Rogan, the Democratic incumbent in Ward 7, defeated Republican challenger Beth Ladenheim.

“I’m encouraged by the people who responded positively to my message,” said Ladenheim. “I might run again. I’m disappointed I didn’t get enough people to split their ticket, which is apparently what happened with heavy Democratic turnout. Hopefully next time it would work out better.”

Republican Lew Gould, who ran unopposed in Ward 11, was reelected with 788 votes.

“I’m very happy to be reelected and appreciate the support of the voters of Ward 11,” Gould said, “but I’m not particularly looking forward to four more years of dealing with a township which is intent on doing everything for township employees instead of for township taxpayers and residents.”

Republican Lou Barson, the owner of Hymie’s Deli, lost to Democratic incumbent Brian McGuire in Ward 13 by 859-460.

“Tonight is not a reflection of your efforts,” Rogers told his fellow township Republicans.

Stay tuned to Patch for and more developments throughout the night.