Chrissy Houlahan's Unofficial Margin Of Victory In PA's 6th

Chrissy Houlahan is projected to defeat Greg McCauley in the battle to represent Pennsylvania's 6th District in US Congress, the Associated Press called at about 10:15 p.m. Tuesday night. Houlahan's victory is one of several across the nation that has tipped the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of the Democratic Party.

Houlahan was joined in victory by two other southeastern Pennsylvania Democratic women in victory: Madeleine Dean in the 4th (Montgomery and Berks) and Mary Gay Scanlon in the 5th (Delaware).

All but four precincts in Chester County have reported in. Houlahan has a lopsided lead in the overall count as of 12:15 a.m.: 172,326 to 120,805.

12:08 a.m.

Houlahan issued a formal statement late Tuesday night.

“We made history together tonight thanks to the incredible work and dedication of our campaign’s countless supporters," she said. "Our success in this election proved that people of good conscience can still come together, regardless of party or politics, around long-standing Pennsylvania values of civility and service. I’m excited to get to work in Washington on behalf of all of us here in the 6th district, and I look forward to building on our success in this new Congress to address the challenges we face as a community and as a country.”

The McCauley campaign has not yet released an official statement conceding the race.

10:35 p.m.

Final vote totals are still coming in, but Houlahan leads by more than 11,000 votes in Berks County and by more than 26,000 votes in Chester County for a decisive win.

10:28 p.m.

Houlahan's camp has not yet made an announcement following the projected victory. DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Luján released a statement congratulating Houlahan.

"Congratulations to Chrissy Houlahan and her supporters on a great victory. As a veteran, businesswoman, and educator, Chrissy has the skills and experience to be an exceptional member of Congress. I’m looking forward to working with Chrissy for years to come as we tackle the critical issues facing our nation."

10:01 p.m.

Houlahan has all but won Berks County with 97 of 101 precincts now in, and precincts in Chester County are beginning to report, with 58 of 228 in.

Houlahan: 60,803

McCauley: 42,166

9:35 p.m.

UPDATED RESULTS - 73 of 101 Berks precincts reporting, no Chester precincts reporting

Houlahan: 25,648

McCauley: 16,814

Residents of Chester County turned out in droves early on Election Day 2018, battling rainy conditions to cast their vote in one of the state's closely watched Congressional races. The battle for the 6th District features two political rookies: Air Force veteran and teacher Chrissy Houlahan for the Democrats, and local businessman and tax attorney Greg McCauley for the Republicans.

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

9:18 p.m.

With 49 of 101 precincts reporting in Berks County, and none in Chester, Houlahan's lead has extended.

Houlahan: 17,055

McCauley: 10,226

9:07 p.m.

Houlahan continues to lead large in Berks County, with 31 of 101 precincts now in. No Chester County votes have reported yet.

Houlahan: 10,337

McCauley: 5,075

9 p.m.

Counting has begun, and Houlahan is in the lead. With 21 out of 101 Berks County precincts reporting, and none of the Chester County precincts yet reporting, here are the totals:

Houlahan: 6,401

McCauley: 2,680

Write In: 3

8 p.m.

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

5:43 p.m.

Houlahan led a "march to the polls" in West Chester this afternoon, and stopped at nearby restaurants including Penn's Table and Teca with state representative candidate Carolyn Comitta. There was a "lot of enthusiasm to vote today," Houlahan noted.

5:03 p.m.

As voters make the rush hour push to the polls after work, they were slowed by heavy traffic on wet roads around the region. 422 experienced heavy back-ups in both directions near King of Prussia, and westbound out past Valley Forge.

3:49 p.m.

In Malvern, 6th District constituent Brian Nagele said that it was important to vote, but that he'd wearied of the election season. "I will be much happier when I can finally watch TV or listen to the radio without some idiot yelling at me that his opponent will murder and eat your children while he will provide sunshine and rainbows for everyone - and that he approves this message," he said.

3:35 p.m.

After this morning's incident, Phoenixville voters said things were running smoothly. Local resident Trudy Miller said the election was vital for the future of her children and grandchildren, and that she was voting "straight blue" for Tom Wolf, Chrissy Houlahan, Bob Casey, and the local races.

"I'm a senior with many concerns, mainly where (the country and the Republican Party) are taking us," she said. I fear for the futures of my children and grandchildren, what the future may hold for them. It's a scary time for all of us."

Elsewhere in Phoenixville, new voters in the area expressed suprise over the use of paper ballots, which are typically used in the borough.

3:06 p.m.

McCauley voted with his family in Chadds Ford at around lunchtime Tuesday. He later shared a video taken from a vehicle driving down a tree-lined drive with McCauley Congressional campaign signs on either side of the road. Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" played in the background.

11:49 a.m.

Houlahan voted early Tuesday at St. John's Presbyterian Church in Devon. She said there was "great energy" at polling places in Tredyffrin and Malvern, despite the rainy conditions.

11:19 a.m.

Polling places were not without issues early Tuesday. Out in Chester County, a precinct in Phoenixville whose residents vote in one of two different state legislature races handed out incorrect ballots. And in one Malvern polling place, there were reports of a poster on the wall that read "Mobs" with "Democrats" underneath it, and then "Jobs" with "Republicans" beneath it.

On an encouraging note, former Phoenixville borough councilman Kuznar added that the turnout in the Middle 1 precinct has been strong, with around 200 voters already by around 10 a.m. Those numbers are comparable to what the precinct received on the morning of the 2016 Presidential election, which is typically a stronger voting year.

Pennsylvania's 6th District in Chester County is one of a handful of races nationwide which could determine the balance of power in U.S. Congress come 2019.

RELATED: 2018 Election Results: Vote Is A Referendum On 'Trump's GOP'

Follow along here as we bring you live results once the polls close.

With incumbent U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello (R) retiring, the race is between two political newcomers.

In the 2016 election, the 6th District leaned Republican. But the 6th District is a different animal in 2018 than it was last time there was an election here. After the state's severely gerrymandered map was ruled unconstitutional in 2017, the 6th became much more Democrat friendly. It is now a more compact region that still covers Chester County and part of Berks County, but now includes the blue stronghold of Reading. It also does not snake through Delaware County the way that it used to.

>>On The Issues: Houlahan Vs. McCauley, U.S. Congress 6th District

Houlahan has based her campaign on her experience as a scientist and teacher, advocating for both education and gun control.

"The fact (is) that we're seeing the national discourse move away from education," Houlahan told USA Today. "Truth, facts, science, those matter. If we don't educate, we're going to be a divided nation."

McCauley has touted his experience as a businessman and lawyer who will encourage economic growth. He's often pointed to his platform of immigration reform and reducing the national debt.

Health care, a major issue across the country, has defined much of the campaign rhetoric. Their divisions echo those of each party's brass: Houlahan has advocated for strengthening the Affordable Care Act, while McCauley wants to end it.

"Are you at all concerned with the government having the ability to cut your benefits, when you obviously need them most?' said McCauley. "What leads you to believe they won't do the same with Healthcare, if given the chance?"

Specifically, Houlahan calls for a system in which "we all participate, sharing coverage, risks, and costs." McCauley advocates for "mutually owned insurance" where patients own part of the insurance company.

Costello, 41, announced back in March that he would not run for re-election. The news was undoubtedly a blow to Republican aspirations in the district, another bit of bad news following the redrawn map. Costello, 41, enjoyed incumbent status, and has handily won his past two elections, serving since 2014. However, he would have been facing a 2018 electorate that is more volatile and unpredictable than in recent years.

Costello, who cited a desire to spend more time with his young family, provided some candid commentary on the state of electorate in southeastern Pennsylvania and across the country, and noted that his political stance as a moderate left him between a rock a hard a place.

"The left has grown more angry by the week, as President Trump says things, and does things, which many Republicans, myself amongst them...disagrees with," he added. "That, coupled with the fact that every single time I speak out and voice my disagreements with what the President might do and might say, (that) has my pro-Trump Republicans not too pleased with me either."

>>Everything To Know About The Pennsylvania 2018 Midterm Elections

Costello has disagreed with Trump on a number of key issues, including climate change and healthcare. He's also advocated for "common sense" gun reform. In his absence, McCauley represents a step further to the right, while Houlahan a step to the left.

The 6th District remains on the radar of competitive races, but is in the "likely Democratic" category, according to the Cook Political Report.

See more coverage of the 6th District below:

• Rep. Costello's And Chrissy Houlahan's Battle For 6th Intensifies
• New Map Proposal Puts All Of Chester County In 6th District
• Rep. Costello Will Not Run For Re-Election
• Police Called After Trespassers Arrive At Rep. Costello's Home

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Image via McCauley and Houlahan campaigns