Democratic Rep. Liz Hanbidge defeated Republican Angela Illingworth in the Nov. 3 election for Pennsylvania’s 61st state House District, according to Montgomery County’s unofficial returns.
The county dashboard’s Nov. 4 update, checked Nov. 6, showed Hanbidge with 22,380 votes, or 68.5%, and Illingworth with 10,249, or 31.4%. Hanbidge’s lead was 12,131 votes. Another 47 votes were recorded for write-in candidates; they were not listed as unresolved ballots.
The figures remain unofficial pending certification. The county separately tracks mail and other ballot processing, so complete Election Day precinct reporting should not be confused with a final certified count.
The district and its incumbent
The 61st District includes Lower Gwynedd, Upper Gwynedd and Towamencin townships, North Wales Borough and part of Whitpain Township, according to Hanbidge’s district information.
First elected in 2018, Hanbidge is an attorney whose work has included representing children and families. Her campaign biography describes her family law practice and pro bono work with the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Project.
A change in Harrisburg
The race came as Democrats won control of both legislative chambers and retained the governor’s office, WHYY reported. The party flipped the state Senate, including the 24th District covering parts of Montgomery and Berks counties, where Chris Thomas defeated Republican incumbent Tracy Pennycuick.
Gov. Josh Shapiro outlined priorities including mass transit funding, a higher minimum wage, housing and reproductive rights. Those are policy plans for the coming term, rather than measures enacted by the election result.
Updated local vote totals are available through Montgomery County Voter Services.
