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Democrat wins special election for state House seat in Delco

Democrat Leanne Krueger-Braneky was elected Tuesday to fill a vacant Delaware County state House seat, defeating two other candidates, according to unofficial returns.

Democrat Leanne Krueger-Braneky was elected Tuesday to fill a vacant Delaware County state House seat, defeating two other candidates, according to unofficial returns.

The election was scheduled after Republican Joe Hackett abruptly resigned in the spring.

Republicans had passed over Lisa Esler as a candidate for the 161st District, but she decided to run as a write-in candidate. Paul A. Mullen was the endorsed Republican.

Krueger-Braneky received 48 percent of the vote to Mullen's 42 percent and Esler's 10 percent, according to returns posted on Delaware County's website.

The outcome could have implications for the county's political landscape. Republicans long controlled the county, but registrations now are nearly evenly split between the two parties.

Before this election, the GOP held five House seats in the county and the Democrats four.

In the 161st, which includes municipalities such as Aston, Ridley, and Swarthmore, Republicans have a registration edge.

Krueger-Braneky is a Swarthmore businesswoman. Esler is a Penn-Delco school board member and Mullen is head of the county AFL-CIO.

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