Realtor® Victorious in State House Race

When Jamie Santora takes the oath of office and becomes a state representative, he will join an elite group of Realtors® who serve in the General Assembly.

Santora, a member of the Suburban West Realtors® Association and broker of record for Moore & Ryan Real Estate in Broomall, was elected on Tuesday to fill the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Nicholas Micozzie. Santora bested Democratic nominee Vincent Rongione by seven percent.

“I look forward to proudly providing a voice for Realtors® and consumers as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives,” stated Santora.

The Alliance for a Better Pennsylvania, a political action committee affiliated with the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® (PAR) that conducts independent expenditure campaigns, sent five direct mail pieces to likely voters in the district and conducted one round of live phone calls the evening prior to the election.

“The support from PAR and the Alliance were key in providing an independent voice on behalf of my campaign and helped secure my victory,” noted Santora.

Support for Santora was based on his efforts to provide a strong voice for Realtors® and property owners during his time on the Upper Darby Township Council.

In addition to Santora, the Alliance for a Better Pennsylvania was successful in supporting three out of four other candidates:

• In Dauphin County, Realtor® Sue Helm defeated political activist Gene Stilp for the second time, with a fairly comfortable 12 percent margin of victory. The Alliance campaign consisted of four direct mail pieces and live phone calls.
• In Delaware County, Republican Tom McGarrigle edged out Democrat John Kane with a narrow four percent magin. The district presented Democrats with an opportunity to pick up a Republican seat as President Obama won the district with 56 percent of the vote in 2012. The campaign consisted of four direct mail pieces and live phone calls.
• In Huntingdon County, incumbent Rep. Mike Fleck, who made headlines when he became the first openly gay legislator in PA history, lost his seat to fellow Republican Rich Irvin. Rep. Fleck was on the ballot as a Democrat after narrowly losing the Republican primary to Irvin. The Alliance strongly supported Fleck, and the campaign consisted of six direct mail pieces, live phone calls, a television advertisement and web ads. Irvin won by eight percent.
• In Monroe County, current State Representative Mario Scavello defeated Democratic attorney Mark Aurand. Although Democratic registration in the district is higher than Republican registration, the district contains most of Scavello’s current house seat. Scavello won the race handily, with a 19 percent margin of victory. The Alliance campaign consisted of six direct mail pieces and live phone calls.

On behalf of the Alliance, Keystone Analytics® produced 25 direct mail pieces, initiated five live phone calls, one television advertisement, and six web ads for the campaigns.