Breaking Down Delco's May 19th Democratic Primary

Most of Delco’s Democratic primaries are decided already and/or don't have a challenger. There are only (2) Pennsylvania House races that are worth watching.

Polls open 7am to 8pm. Mail ballots must be received via dropbox by 8pm on election day (May 19th). Find your polling place: delcopa.gov/vote/where & sample ballot by address: delcopa.gov/vote/sample-ballots

Democrats lead the generic congressional ballot by about 6 points. Trump’s approval rating is sitting below 40%, so barring anything drastic.. the blue wave is real. But a wave that delivers corporate friendly Democrats to Harrisburg and Washington is not a win for working people.. it’s just a different set of faces on the same establishment. The primaries happening on the 19th determine who gets to ride that wave.

US House — PA-5 (Mary Gay Scanlon)

Mary Gay Scanlon is running unopposed in the Democratic primary…

Most of you already know my thoughts on this, I also wrote about them here.

I would love a healthy primary here. Again.. this isn’t about tearing anyone down “just because”. It’s about recognizing that the moment demands more.

Safe blue districts should be leading the charge on flagship progressive issues like universal healthcare and fighting against corporate money. They should be producing bold opposition to the right. If they aren’t, then voters have every right (& the responsibility) to demand better.

PA Senate — SD-26 (Tim Kearney)

Tim Kearney is running unopposed in the Democratic primary for the 26th Senate District, which covers Swarthmore, Springfield, Upper Darby, Marple, Newtown, Upper Providence, Ridley, and several surrounding boroughs.

Kearney is a reliable progressive.

PA House

HD-166 | Haverford and parts of Marple Township | Greg Vitali (incumbent) vs. Judy Trombetta (challenger)

This is the only contested Democratic House primary in Delco right now and it’s definitely the race we have touched on more than any other this cycle.

Vitali has represented this district since longer than I have been alive. His environmental record is genuinely strong..34 years of consistent work on climate, clean energy, and environmental regulation. His voting record across the board is really solid. He does not take corporate PAC money and never has.

Trombetta is a Haverford Township Commissioner with a background in social work and constituent services. She launched a mobile voter services van in Montgomery County, opened eight satellite voting offices, and worked on affordable housing and environmental legislation at the local level.

Their policy platforms (for the most part) are relatively the same. The argument for Trombetta is that the moment demands more than what Vitali’s extensive record covers. The federal government is dismantling voting rights, gutting Medicaid, and attacking reproductive freedom. Vitali spent the League of Women Voters town hall/debate explaining why things cannot get done. Trombetta spent the same debate explaining what she would fight for & I think that difference matters in 2026.

HD-159 | Chester City — Carol Kazeem faces a primary challenger. The same Democrat she unseated in 2022, Brian Kirkland. This is the one other contested Democratic House primary in Delco.

I don’t see Kirkland winning this..

The uncontested Delco House races

The following Democratic incumbents are running unopposed in their primaries. You don’t have much of a choice and if you want to change it, convince someone to run for office or run yourself lol.

HD-161 | Nether Providence, Aston, and surrounding areas — Leanne Krueger, running unopposed.

HD-163 | Upper Darby — Heather Boyd, running unopposed.

HD-165 | Upper Providence, Springfield and surrounding areas — Jenn O’Mara, running unopposed. She’s been one of the most active legislators in the Delco delegation.

There is only (2) genuinely contested races in Delco this primary. Even if you are in an uncontested district, please just vote..the wave does not carry itself.

Polls open 7am to 8pm. Mail ballots must be received via dropbox by 8pm on election day (May 19th). Find your polling place: delcopa.gov/vote/where & sample ballot by address: delcopa.gov/vote/sample-ballots