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Lower Makefield Solidifies Democratic Majority
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November 1, 2007
For Immediate Release
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Contact
Neil Samuels
Deputy Chair
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Democrat wins seat on board
By: CHRIS ENGLISH (Thu, Nov/08/2007)
The Democratic surge in Lower Makefield has claimed another Republican supervisor, this one a 30-year veteran of the board.
Grace Godshalk, running for her sixth six-year term, lost a narrow race to young Democratic challenger Matt Maloney, 24, in Tuesday's election. Maloney had 3,554 votes to Godshalk's 3,443.
A problem with votes from three Lower Makefield voting machines not being counted as of late Tuesday night had been rectified by Wednesday, said Bucks County Board of Elections Director Deena Dean. Election results won't be officially certified for about a week after all results have been proofread and write-in votes tabulated, she added.
Republican incumbent Pete Stainthorpe, Tuesday's top vote-getter in the township with 3,670, won re-election to a second term and has been the only GOP member able to stem the Democratic tide in Lower Makefield over the last few years. When the new board convenes in January, he will be the only Republican among five township supervisors.
Until 2003, when Steve Santarsiero won election, the board had been all Republican for about two decades.
“I believe it's another statement by Lower Makefield residents that they've liked what they've seen from the Democratic majority and want more of the same,” said Maloney, a consultant on healthcare and retirement issues for Hewitt Associates in Bridgewater, N.J.
“The people seem pleased with the progress we've made and want more open government and more progress, and I believe we can continue to deliver that,” he said.
Maloney, who lives with his wife, Dana Coyne, on Hillside Lane, said his only disappointment from Tuesday was not seeing his running mate, Debbie Wachspress, also win election. She got 3,355 votes.
“Debbie and I worked incredibly hard over the last eight months and I wish she could be joining me,” said Maloney, valedictorian of Pennsbury High School's 727-member Class of 2001. “Hard work was probably the biggest reason we were able to beat out a 30-year incumbent. We thank Grace for her service. She has done a lot of work for the township, but it's time for another generation and another step forward.”
The Courier Times was unsuccessful in its attempts to reach Godshalk for comment.
Stainthorpe, who owns a marketing company he runs from his home, said he's looking forward to a second term, despite being the only Republican.
“I have every expectation of going forward and that Democrats and Republicans will find ways to work together and focus on doing what is right for the township and not just politicking,” he said. “I felt I ran a really good campaign and, hopefully, people re-elected me because they felt I did a good job in the first term.”
Stainthorpe said he was surprised but not shocked by Godshalk's loss. “I really thought Grace had a solid corps of supporters and would prevail,” he said. “But 30 years is a long record and I guess it can work both ways. You build up a lot of accomplishments but maybe a lot of people you disappointed as well.”
Chris English can be reached at 215-949-4193 or cenglish@phillyBurbs.com.
Article's URL:
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-11082007-1437456.html
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