PA House primary preview: Northeast Philly and Delco

Down to the final days, PoliticsPA takes a look at House races in Northeast Philadelphia and Delaware County.

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA

172nd State House Legislative District
Kevin Boyle (D) vs. Sean Dougherty (D)
Aizaz Gill (R) vs. Patrick Gushue (R)

Boyle, who faces an arrest warrant for violating a restraining order obtained by his ex-wife, is the incumbent but faces a major primary challenge to retain his seat in Harrisburg from Dougherty. 

Kevin Boyle

• Party. Democrat
• Residence. Northeast Philadelphia
• Experience. State Representative. Majority Chair for House Insurance Committee.
• Top Priorities. Prime sponsor of legislation that would expand the state’s Hate Crimes Law. Introduced legislation limiting size of firearm magazines one may carry or sell.
• Last Election (2022). Defeated Al Taubenberger, 57-43%, in general election
• Education. B.A, La Salle University; M.Ed., Harvard University.
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 3/31/2024)
  • N/A

Sean Dougherty

• Party. Democrat
• Residence. Fox Chase
• Experience. Public Defender
• Top Priorities. Access to abortion. School Funding. Union jobs.
• Endorsements. Philadelphia Inquirer
• Education. B.A, Chestnut Hill College; J.D., Temple University
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 4/8/2024)
  • Raised: $167,605 | Spent: $12,372.62 | Cash On Hand: $45,232.38

Aizaz Gill

• Party. Republican
• Residence. Northeast Philadelphia
• Experience. Community Outreach Coordinator, Philadelphia City Commissioners. Pennsylvania Policy Director for Business for America
• Top Priorities. Improve public safety, ensure economic security and opportunity for all, and make certain our education system is preparing our children for success. 
• Endorsements. U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick.
• Quotable. “People are ready for change. The No. 1 thing is public safety.”
• Education. B.A., Chestnut Hill College
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 3/31/2024)
  • Raised: $11,618.96 | Spent: $31,845.21 | Cash On Hand: $30,327.47
  • Debts and Obligations: $17,200

Patrick Gushue

• Party. Republican
• Residence. Northeast Philadelphia
• Experience. U.S. Army Ranger veteran
• Top Priorities. Cost of living, crime and education
• Quotable. “I am running for state representative because I want to bring back active, present and effective representation to the district. The current representative in this district has been distant and even completely absent for too long.”
• Education. B.S., Gwynedd Mercy University.
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 3/31/2024)
  • Raised: $21,619.71 | Spent: $15,969.47 | Cash On Hand: $5,650.24

District composition: Part of PHILADELPHIA County consisting of the CITY of Philadelphia (PART, Wards 56 [PART, Divisions 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 33, 34, 36, 37 and 40], 58 [PART, Divisions 01, 02, 09, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 26, 27, 28, 36, 42 and 44] and 63). 

DELAWARE COUNTY

159th State House Legislative District
Carol Kazeem (D) vs. Darren Laws, Sr. (D)

Kazeem, the incumbent, faces a primary challenge from Laws. The winner would be the presumptive winner since as of now there is no Republican candidate for the district, unless the loser decides to mount a write-in candidacy and mounts a comeback.

Carol Kazeem

• Party. Democrat
• Residence. Chester
• Experience. State Representative
• House Assignments. Children & Youth; Education; Environmental Resources & Energy; Game & Fisheries; Local Government.
• Top Priorities. Critical concerns for her are veterans, education, affordable housing, increasing homeownership, gun violence, economic development and job creation, support for youth, especially around recreational programs and eliminating barriers for district residents to access and thrive in secondary education.
• Last Election (2022). Defeated Ruth Moton, 66-34%, in general election
• Endorsements.
• Quotable. “Personally, I feel like it isn’t enough time in a year,” she said. “I just want to be given another chance to be able to do those things. I ask that people give me that chance … I want to keep seeing the district thrive.”
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 4/8/2024)
  • Raised: $49,584.64 | Spent: $21,408.22 | Cash On Hand: $28,176.42

Darren Laws

• Party. Democrat
• Residence. Chester
• Experience. Community activist
• Top Priorities. Mental health issues that have a significant impact on society as a whole, affecting individuals, families and communities,
• Quotable. “Throughout my years, I have worked tirelessly to advocate for adults, youth, families, seniors, veterans and the interests of our constituents and to address the pressing issues facing our communities within the 159th District.”
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 3/31/2024)
  • N/A

District Composition: Part of PHILADELPHIA County consisting of the CITY of Philadelphia (PART, Wards 08 [PART, Divisions 25, 26, 30 and 32], 14, 15 [PART, Divisions 03, 07 and 10], 18 [PART, Divisions 09, 14, 15 and 16], 20, 37 [PART, Divisions 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17 and 18] and 47).