Wendi Thomas Wins PA House's 178th District

After just six months on the job, Democratic incumbent Helen Tai was defeated by Republican Wendi Thomas in the race for the 178th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Thomas and Tai faced off for a special election in May to fill the seat left vacant with Scott Petri's departure from the House. Tai won the special election by just 96 votes.

This time around, Thomas won by 646 votes, according to unofficial results that have not yet been certified.

With 28 districts reporting, Thomas earned 17,618 votes to Tai's 16,972 votes.

Thomas is a Northampton Township resident who previously served on the Council Rock School Board, where she held roles of both president and vice president. She was employed in the healthcare industry by HeathAdvocate, rising from sales person to senior vice president.

Tai, the former chair of the Solebury Township supervisors, is the founder of consulting firm, Enabling Innovation LLC, as well as a former Johnson & Johnson employee in the consumer products division.

The 178th district includes Northampton, New Hope, Upper Makefield, Wrightstown and Solebury.