Credit: Amanda Kuehnle/NewtownPANow.com
Credit: Amanda Kuehnle/NewtownPANow.com
One of the ugliest Democratic Eighth District Congressional primary season races in memory came to an end Tuesday night when State Rep. Steve Santarsiero declared victory over Shaughnessy Naughton.
Santarsiero claimed victory after achieving 50,367 votes in Bucks County and Montgomery County. Naughton, who unsuccessfully ran for the same seat in 2014, garnered only 33,810 votes.
During his victory speech at the Temperance House in Newtown Borough, Santarsiero first called the win a “great victory” and then proceeded to thank his family. He noted his daughter, Nancy, voted for the first time on Tuesday.
“They have put up with so much over these last 16 months and there’s more to come,” he told supporters.
The race turned ugly in its final weeks when a PAC started by Naughton mailed negative ads that called out Santarsiero’s record of getting zero bills passed in Harrisburg and showed him with blacked out teeth. The mailers led to allegations that members of Naughton’s campaign had violated Federal Election Commission rules. On Twitter, the two campaign’s managers sparred back and forth in recent weeks.
“It was a hard fought race, and it’s never a good thing when democrats fight democrats,” he said. Santarsiero noted that the race will hopefully help bring different sections of the party together.
“I want to make something clear to everyone, while I am very happy to have won this battle, I did not get into this race 16 months ago just to win a primary,” he said. “I know we can win this race in November and I know that with the support of everyone in this room, we are going to reach thousands and thousands of voters in the Eighth district, and it’s important that we do that, not for me, not for the democratic party, but for the people of the Eighth district and for the people of our country.”
Naughton and supporters met while election tallies were coming in at the Triumph Brewery in New Hope. She reportedly told her supporters to support Santarsiero in the general election after thanking volunteers.
Credit: Amanda Kuehnle/NewtownPANow.com
It was clear Santarsiero has the support of the county Democratic party. Chairman John Cordisco stood next to the state representative as he gave gave his victory speech.
During his celebration, Santarsiero even took time to talk about hot button issues that he has brought up throughout his campaign. He said he would work to solve the issue of global climate change, advocate for communities that are struggling and work to help young people, many strangled by debt and facing an uncertain job market.
“We have a lot to do between now and November 8, but we are going to win this race, and we’re gonna do it together. We’ll start that work tomorrow, but let’s celebrate tonight.”
