Democrat Malagari Wins PA House 53, Under GOP Control Since 1972

In a significant upset, Democrat Steve Malagari is projected to flip Pennsylvania's long-red 53rd District, according to the Associated Press. The seat, which represents the greater Lansdale area, has been Republican for 46 years.

With 33 of 34 precincts reporting, Malagari carries 13,312 votes, to Republican Andy Szekely's 12,160. Libertarian John Waldenberger earned 284, not enough to point to him as a spoiler for Szekely.

This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.

For the first time in 36 years, there is not an incumbent in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 53rd District. Republican Robert Godshall, who has held the seat since 1983, announced his retirement earlier this year. Former Lansdale mayor and Republican Andy Szekely, Lansdale Borough Councilman and Democrat Steven Malagari, and Libertarian John Waldenberger are running to replace him.

Despite the rainy weather and wet roads, strong voter turnout was reported throughout the Lansdale area Tuesday.

8 p.m.

Polls have closed and we are awaiting results. Check back for updates.

6:35 p.m.

Szekely reported that there some Montgomery County voting machines have been malfunctioning. According to an email from the Montgomery County Republican Party, machines became faulty when voters cast straight Republican votes (E11). Patch has reached out to Montgomery County Voter Services for more information.

6:09 p.m.

Malagari said that he's traveled to nearly every polling place in the district Tuesday. "It's clear," he wrote. "Enthusiasim is high."

4:45 p.m.

Szekely shared a message through social media Tuesday painting himself as a bipartisan. "Throughout my tenure as mayor, I was able to work across the aisle with Democrats. There have been times when I have disagreed with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, but at the end of the day, we were able to do so in a civilized manner and work for what was best for Lansdale. As a candidate for the 53rd District, I hope to bring this style of governing to Harrisburg."

3:15 p.m.

Multiple voters in the Lansdale area reported a smooth voting experience with no lines and no commotion outside the polls. In Hatfield, local resident Tom McCarty said that 140 people had already voted before him at 8 a.m. this morning, indicating strong turnout. Others found the ease a bit disconcerting. "Not enough people," said Lansdale voter K. Noel Odle. "No line."

Godshall has handily won every recent election in this firmly red district, defeating Leon Angelichio 17,964 to 12,205 in 2016, and winning over Dottie Miller and Mick Wynne by similar margins in 2014 and 2012, respectively.

>>Click here to follow along with Election Day developments, including voter turnout, polling place issues, and other news as it comes in.

Of the three men are running to replace him, it would be hard to call anyone the favorite other than the man Godshall endorsed, Republican candidate Andy Szekely.

Szekely is widely known in the area after serving as the the mayor of Lansdale from 2008 to 2017. His campaign has championed him as a critic of unneccessary spending, pointing to his vetoes of the 2018 tax increase and the expansion of borough hall.

>>Everything To Know About The Pennsylvania 2018 Midterm Elections

He'll be challenged by Democrat Steven Malagari, a Lansdale Borough Councilman and beverage seller. He's a 2002 graduate of North Penn and 2006 graduate of Ursinus College. In the Democratic primary back in May, Malagari soundly defeated 2016's candidate for the district, Angelichio, 2,100 to 1,314.

Making matters even more interesting and even more distinct from recent years is the presence of a third party candidate on the ballot, Libertarian John Waldenberger.

The 53rd includes Franconia Township, Hatfield, Hatfield Township, Lansdale, Salford Township, Souderton, and the Montgomery County portion of Telford.

Patch is partnering with ProPublica’s Electionland project to report on problems voters encounter at the polls on Nov. 6 and we want to know if you see any shenanigans. Here’s how you can report what you see to Electionland:

• SMS: Send the word VOTE, VOTA (for Spanish) or 投票 (for Chinese) to 81380 (standard text message rates apply).
• WhatsApp: Send the word VOTE, VOTA (for Spanish) or 投票 (for Chinese) to 1-850-909-8683.
• Facebook Messenger: Go to m.me/electionland.
• Submit a tip through this form.

Image via Malagari and Szekely campaigns