Deb Ryan Becomes 1st Female, 1st Democrat DA In Chesco History

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Democrat Deb Ryan won a huge victory on Tuesday, flipping the Chester County District Attorney's Office to the Democrats for the first time in history, unofficial results show. She's also the first woman to ever hold the office.

Ryan defeated First Assistant District Attorney Mike Noone to become the successor to two-term Republican District Attorney Tom Hogan.

"Thank you for making me the first Democrat and first woman District Attorney in Chester County history," Ryan said in a statement Tuesday night. " I am deeply honored. Thank you for embracing the message of Victims First and Justice for All. I look forward to stepping into this role in January 2020. Until then, my humble gratitude."

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It was the most convincing victory of a full Democratic sweep in Chester County, continuing the "blue wave" of the 2018 midterms that saw several legislative seats that had never been held by a Democrat before get flipped blue.

In addition to Ryan's win in the District Attorney's race, Democrat Fredda Maddox won the sheriff's race, and Democrats Josh Maxwell and Marian Moskowitz took control of the Chester County Board of Commissioners.

Every other county level race was also won by a Democrat.

11:38 p.m.

All precincts are now in. Ryan is the projected winner of a huge victory over Noone, 76,251 to 62,958.

10:59 p.m.

With 197 precincts now in, Ryan is growing closer and closer to victory:

• Ryan: 63,197
• Noone: 51,830

10:24 p.m.

The race is now half over and it's looking like Ryan's to lose. With 138 of 228 precincts reporting, her lead has nearly doubled:

• Ryan: 42,544
• Noone: 32,799

9:59 p.m.

Ryan's lead has increased, with 85 of 228 precincts reporting:

• Ryan: 26,135
• Noone: 20,036

9:42 p.m.

Ryan holds a commanding lead thus far over Noone, with 12,490 votes to 9,667.

There are still just 45 out of 228 precincts reporting.

It's notable that Ryan has garnered the most votes out of all Democratic candidates competing in major races thus far. Her mark is over the number the Democratic sheriff candidate Fredda Maddox (12,005) and county commissioner candidates Marian Moskowitz (11,568) and Josh Maxwell (11,222) have earned, indicating that a chunk of voters are not voting straight ballot, but switching parties to support Ryan.

9:01 p.m.

Democrat Deb Ryan holds an early lead with just five precincts out of 228 reporting. She leads Republican Michael Noon by a tally of 1,538 to 1,224.

8:40 p.m.

Polls officially closed in Pennsylvania at 8 p.m., and a tally of votes is underway.

As of 8:40 p.m., no Chester County precincts had yet reported results.

Return to Patch for results as they come in. Subscribe to free news alert for election results to your inbox.

Original story

• Former Deputy DA Deb Ryan Runing For Chesco District Attorney
• Mike Noone To Replace Tom Hogan On Chesco DA Ballot

This race changed shape dramatically over the summer when Hogan, who had served two terms, unexpectedly announced he had withdrawn from the race.

Given the results of the 2018 election that saw Democrats win surprising victories in the red county, it seems likely that Hogan would have faced far stiffer competition from Ryan than he had in previous years. In 2015, for instance, Hogan soundly defeated Democrat Tom Purl, 50,177 to 33,452.

Ryan, who now leads the Crime Victims Services of Chester County, had the momentum of last year's blue-leaning midterms as well as a few key endorsements heading into Election Day, including the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 11 and Pennsylvania State Police.

"Change is needed in the district attorney's office," she said in a statement in September. "We have seen fractured relationships with law enforcement, failure to treat victims with the respect and dignity they deserve, and an alarming opioid and child abuse crisis. I hope to change that once elected."

Famously, Ryan put Warren Yerger, a father who was convicted to 339 to 690 years in prison for sexually abusing children over a period of two decades, behind bars. The sentence against Yerger is the longest sentence in Chester County history.

Noone is a formidable opponent. He was immediate choice of Republicans to replace Hogan, and his candidacy was announced simultaneously with Hogan's withdrawal.

A 20-year veteran of the Chester County legal community, Noone has handled a range of cases, including murder, rape, sexual assault, child and elder abuse, and more.

"As the First Assistant DA, I work side-by-side and every day with Chester County residents of every walk of life to combat the opioid epidemic, make our schools safer, fight sexual assault, expand our diversionary programs for those struggling with addiction and mental health issues, protect senior citizens, and ensure the integrity of the criminal justice system,” Noone said in a statement. "I look forward to continuing that work as District Attorney."

Noone has a widely known prosecution on his record as well. He led the team that prosecuted the murder of Scotty McMillan, the three-year-old that was tortured and murdered in 2014.