Dems Take 2 Warminster Council Seats: Unofficial Results

WARMINSTER, PA — Democrats will take control of the Warminster Board of Supervisors after defeating two Republican candidates for two open seats in Tuesday's election, according to unofficial results.

The vote was to decide partisan control of a board that had been run by a Republican majority. Two Democrats and two Republicans faced off for two at-large seats with major issues for the township looming — not the least of which is the fight to keep from having to declare bankruptcy.

Supervisor Dan McPhillips and construction-company owner Bob Welsh were seeking to defeat Democrats Kenneth Hayes, a geologist, and Judy Hoover, a retired City of Philadelphia employee.

With all 17 Warminster districts reporting at about midnight, the unofficial vote totals were:

• Hayes (D): 4,315
• Hoover (D): 4,685
• McPhillips (R): 3,890
• Welsh (R): 4,095

Hayes and Hoover will serve six-year terms on the board of supervisors.

The race happened over a backdrop of major issues which future supervisors will no doubt be tasked with addressing. The township is working to get its financial situation in order and avoid bankruptcy. Supervisors are currently pondering selling Warminster's water and sewer service to a private entity and, underlying it all, is the persistent question of dealing with potentially hazardous chemicals known as PFAS that threaten the area's water supply.

The board was up for grabs this year after current Chairman Jason Croley chose not to seek re-election for after his term expires at the end of this year.

McPhillips was seeking re-election after initially announcing that he, too, would not seek another term on the board.

In July, David Hauschild, a Republican nominee for a seat on the board, withdrew from the race due to a life-threatening health scare. The Warminster Township Republican Committee announced that McPhillips would take his place on the ballot.

Hayes, who moved to Warminster with his family in 1995, serves as chairman of the Environmental Advisory Council, a member of the township's Budget and Pension Investment advisory committees and an alternate on the Planning Commission.

Hoover is currently a Warminster Township auditor, recording secretary with the Bucks County Democratic Women's Forum and previously served as legislative coordinator for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

McPhillips currently serves as the board's vice chairman, a role in which he's worked with the Warminster Police Department. He also serves as a member of the Bucks County Community Development Board and, before becoming a supervisor, served on the zoning hearing board, planning commission and in other posts.

Welsh is the owner of DW Construction and cited economic development and fighting the opioid crisis as key issues he'd address if elected.