Democrat Hanbridge Overthrows 61st's Longtime Incumbent GOP Rep

In what has become a pattern, Democrat Liz Hanbridge defeated Republican State Rep. Kate Harper, a 17-year incumbent in the 61st District, Tuesday night.

Hanbridge earned 17,625 votes to Harper's 15,186. She joined several other local Democrats in victory in seats that have been Republican for decades, including Steve Malagari in the House's 53rd (GOP since 1972), and Maria Collett in the Senate's 12 (GOP since 1978).

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Republican State Rep. Kate Harper, a 17-year incumbent in the 61st District, is challenged by Democrat Liz Hanbridge.

Harper has been in office since 2003.

The 61st includes North Wales, Towamencin, and Upper Gwynedd, along with a large part of Whitpain and parts of Lower Gwynedd.

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The district has been Republican since it was formed in 1969.

>>Everything To Know About The Pennsylvania 2018 Midterm Elections

Republicans have controlled both the Pennsylvania state senate and house since 2011. Going into Election Day 2018, Republicans have a very comfortable 33-16 majority in the senate, and a 120-79 majority in the house.

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Image via Harper and Hanbridge campaigns