Lawmaker DiGirolamo Joins County Commission Race

BENSALEM, PA — A longtime state lawmaker from Bensalem has announced plans to run for the Bucks County Commission.

State Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, a Republican, has represented the Bensalem-based 18th House District since 1995. Known as a political moderate, DiGirolamo, 68, will try to keep the county commission under GOP control, even as Democratic support in Bucks is on the rise.

"It was a really tough decision for me, but I thought about it and I was encouraged by a lot of people that I respect an awful lot to do it," DGirolamo told Patch on Wednesday.

The 24-year lawmaker, who serves as chairman of the House Human Services Committee, joins one other Republican and two Democrats who have announced their candidacies for the commission's three open seats.

He's running as part of a Republican ticket with incumbent Commissioner Robert Loughery, of Bedminster. On the Democratic side, incumbent Commissioner Diane Marseglia, of Middletown, is seeking re-election and Falls Township Supervisor Bob Harvie is running as well.

"Bucks County has many great things to offer, but I believe more needs to be done to make our county government work for all of us," Harvie, a teacher who has served as a Falls supervisor for 15 years, said when he announced his candidacy in January. "I look forward to hearing any concerns you have on the issues we face in our county, and hope that I can earn your support for my campaign."

For decades, the GOP has held a 2-1 majority on the commission. But voting-pattern changes in Bucks County have Democrats hoping they can turn the tables in this year's elections.

Charley Martin, a Republican commissioner for the past 23 years, has announced he is not seeking re-election.

DiGirolamo, who plans to keep his House seat while running for the commission, said he hopes his record as a nonpartisan problem solver will help his bid.

"I've always thought of myself as someone who's willing to jump into complicated issues and find solutions and, many times, to find compromise to get solutions to those issues," he said. "I think that's what people will want to see."

After the May primaries, two Republicans and two Democrats will appear on Bucks County ballots for the commission. Among them, the top three vote-getters will form the county commission.