Longtime Councilman Ousted As Democrats Sweep In Horsham

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — Democrats swept Horsham Township Council races in Tuesday's election, unseating one of the township's longest-serving officials, according to unofficial results.

Horsham Township Council President W. William Whiteside was the last Republican mainstay on the council that saw the defeat of GOP Council President Mark McCouch and the departures of several other council members.

The Republicans had held a 3-2 majority on the five-member board, with Democrats taking two seats in the last council election. Now they will have unanimous control of the council when it reorganizes in early January.

Residents elected three Democratic newcomers to the council: Top vote getter Ruth Patterson, Elizabeth Thomson, and John McCarty.

They join Democratic Councilwomen Samatha Slaff and Ellen Zschunke.

"On my drive home, I witnessed a shooting star, and the irony isn't lost on me," Zschunke posted on Facebook. "It's a new day in Horsham."

Councilman Eric Glemser, who was appointed to a vacant seat, lost Tuesday while former Hatboro-Horsham School Board member Erin Whalen was unsuccessful in her bid to join the council.

Republican Council Sean Wade did not seek re-election. The GOP holds a 3-2 council majority.

All of the township's 18 precincts reported their vote tallies from Tuesday's election.

Results in Tuesday's general election are unofficial until they are certified by the Montgomery County Board of Elections at a later date.

These are unofficial results from Tuesday's election:

Horsham Township Council

Township Council (Vote for 3)

• Ruth Patterson (Democrat) — 5,614 votes
• Elizabeth Thomson (Democrat) — 5,576 votes
• John McCarty (Democrat) — 5,528 votes
• W. William Whiteside (Republican) — 3,846 votes
• Eric Glemser (Republican) — 3,873 votes
• Erin Whalen (Republican) — 3,721 votes