Democrat Collett Wins PA Senate's 12th, Republican For 40 Years

Former lawyer turned nurse Maria Collett will be the first Democratic state Sen. in the 12th District in 40 years, defeating the son of the longtime Republican incumbent Tuesday night.

Collett won handily in Montgomery County, earning 45,292 votes to Stewart Greenleaf Jr.'s 38,045. Greenleaf Jr. won a few votes back in Bucks County, earning 17,581 to Collett's 16,645.

Collett is the second Democratic candidate in this part of the county to flip a solidly red state legislature seat. Steve Malagari won the state House's 53rd District, a seat which had been under GOP control since 1972.

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After serving in the Pennsylvania State Senate for 40 years, veteran legislator and Senate Judiciary chair Stewart Greenleaf Sr. (R-12) announced his retirement following this year's election. That leaves the 12th District — which covers a swath of northeastern Montgomery County and southern Bucks from Franconia to Upper Moreland — without an incumbent for the first time in four decades.

Running in his place for the Republicans will be Stewart Greenleaf Jr., the elder's 39-year-old son and the former Montgomery County Controller. He'll face off against Democratic lawyer turned nurse Maria Collett.

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Greenleaf Jr., the county controller from 2011 to 2015, is also a practicing attorney and volunteer with the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Project. Following in his father's moderate footsteps, he's running on a platform that includes support of medical cannabis, acknowledgement of climate change realities, universal background checks for gun purchases, and reform of the criminal justice system.

>>On The Issues: Greenleaf Vs. Collett, PA Senate District 12

Collett, meanwhile, has experience as an attorney working with neglected and abused children. As a nurse, she's been outspoken on improving health care access, raising the minimum wage, and voting reforms.

Both candidates have spoken out strongly in support of securing federal funding to help address the local water crisis. Both candidates have also been recognized with the Moms Demand Action Gun Sense candidate distinction award.

Municipalities in the 12th District include Ambler, Bryn Athyn, Franconia, Hatboro, Hatfield, Hatfield, Horsham, Lower Gwynedd, Lower Moreland, Montgomery Township, North Wales, Souderton, Upper Gwynedd, and Upper Moreland. In Bucks, the 12th covers Upper Southampton Township, Warminster Township, and Warrington Township.

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Images via Collett campaign and Greenleaf campaign