Montco Legislative Race Results Could Tip Power Balance In PA House

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — In what has become a nail-biter of a race, the 151st Legislative District contest in Montgomery County is still not officially called, but whoever ends up taking the prize could help shift the balance of power in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

The suburban House district — which includes the Montgomery County municipalities of Horsham, Upper Dublin, Montgomery Township and Ambler Borough — is crucial to Democrats in Pennsylvania since it is reportedly one of two races that could help determine whether Democrats take over majority of the state House for the first time since 2010.

The district is currently served by State Rep. Todd Stephens, one of only a few Republican state House members left in all of Montgomery County, a once red county that is now majority Democrat due to population and demographic shifts over the years.

Stephens' Democratic challenger, political newcome Melissa Cerrato, told Patch early Monday morning that at last count only 12 votes separated the two candidates, with Stephens reportedly just slight ahead in the vote count at the moment.

Cerrato said that the next update is not expected until Tuesday when any ballots that have been cured would be tabulated.

At last check as of Saturday at midnight, about 49 had been cured, Cerrato said.

Overseas and military ballots were expected to be counted on Wednesday, she said.

There are also a total of 249 provisional ballots in the 151st race, she said, and elections officials were expected to soon start verifying those ballots.

"We are remaining patient as the votes are tabulated and all proper procedures are followed and are optimistic that we will all be celebrating when final numbers come in," she wrote.

An earlier story about the race can be seen in the below link:

Related: PA 151st House District Race Separated By 26 Votes At Last Count

While Cerrato remains optimistic, Stephens definitely has name recognition around these parts.

The former prosecutor, who was first elected to office in 2010, earned the endorsements of groups that typically back Democratic candidates, such as a teachers' union and labor union.

Patch reported on Stephens' unique support earlier in the campaign.

Related: Typically Democrat-Friendly Unions, Groups Back GOP Incumbent Lawmaker

The Philadelphia Inquirer singled out the Stephens-Cerrato race as among two whose results could determine whether or not Democrats become the majority party in the state House of Representatives.

Patch will continue to bring you the latest information on the race for Pennsylvania's 151st Legislative District in the days ahead as the vote count continues and more updated tallies become released.