Peter Urscheler Wins Phoenixville Mayor's Race, Leads Dem Sweep

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Democrats won resounding victories in major races across Phoenixville on Tuesday night, led by Democrat Peter Urscheler election as the next mayor of the borough. The victories came in the midst of the highest voter turnout for a borough election in recent years.

Urscheler defeated Republican Dave Gautreau and Green Party candidate Nate Craig to become the mayor-elect. Urscheler earned 56.71 percent of the vote, to Gautreau's 33.03 percent and Craig's strong 10. 23 percent showing as a third party.

"Words can’t even begin to express the gratitude and love that I have for this amazing community," Urscheler said in a statement on Wednesday morning. "The last 9 months have been an incredible journey, with every step, I fell more in love with the people of our community. On Election Day, as “opponents” shared umbrellas, hand warmers and gloves, it reminded me once again, that Phoenixville is so very special."

Urscheler thanked his competitors for campaigns of "integrity," and noted that Gautreau had come to his home on Tuesday night to congratulate him.

Urscheler was endorsed heavily by outgoing Phoenixville Mayor and fellow Democrat, Michael Speck. During his campaign, Urscheler touted the promotion of the borough's arts and culture scene, as well as vowing to continue the fight against the opioid epidemic.

"I beg you, to continue to turn out; for elections, meetings and most of all for our Phoenixville community," Urscheler added. "Our success requires each of us to serve, in whatever capacity we can."

Craig also extended his congratulations to Urscheler.

"We are incredibly proud of the efforts of our team," he said in a statement Tuesday night. "We love our town, and we're looking forward to working with all of our elected representatives on the initiatives and policies that the campaign has championed from the beginning."

A total of 3,264 residents voted in the mayoral race, according to figures made available by Chester County before midnight on Tuesday.

Results from the borough council races, all won by Democrats, are included below:

• North Ward: Democrat Mark Kirkner (55 percent) defeats Republican Sarah Peppel (44 percent)
• Middle Ward: Democrat Beth Burckley (63 percent) defeats Republican Michael Kuznar (36 percent)
• East Ward: Democrat Jeremy Dalton (63 percent) defeats Republican Dave Davis (36 percent)
• West Ward: Democrat Dana Dugan (67 percent) defeats Republican Aisha Dawe (31 percent)

Democrats also swept the school director races. Lori Broker, Jeesely Soto, Blake Emmanuel, and Christopher Caltagirone all earned between 14 and 15 percent of the vote.

Early numbers suggested voter turnout in Phoenixville was higher than previous municipal elections. In Chester County as a whole, voter turnout sat at 31 percent, with 96 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday night.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as soon as more election results become available.

Patch file photo