Hackett Hangs on to 161th District State House Seat

Republican State Rep. Joe Hackett has been re-elected to a second term serving the 161th District, beating out Democratic challenger Larry DeMarco.

Hackett won the 161th District State House race with 17,125 votes against DeMarco's 15,256 votes with 100 percent of Delaware County polls reporting by Wednesday afternoon.

Hackett thanked local residents for their support at the polls.

"I want to thank my supporters who worked so hard during the course of this campaign," Hackett said in a press release. "So many people did so much to help make my victory possible and I greatly appreciate all of their time and hard work."

This will be Hackett's second term representing the 161th District, which includes Upper Providence, Marple, Newtown, Radnor and Springfield townships. Prior to becoming a state representative Hackett was a detective in the Criminal Investigative Division of the Delaware County District Attorney’s office.

"I appreciate the trust and faith that local residents have placed in me and I look forward to continuing to serve as their voice in the General Assembly," Hackett said in a press release. "Pennsylvania and our nation continue to face some tough challenges and I look forward to working in a bi-partisan manner to improve our economy and create jobs. Both parties need to work together to tackle tough issues such as pension reform, education funding and improving our economic climate in the state.”

Patch caught up with Hackett's son, Joe Jr., in the early polling hours Tuesday.

Joe Hackett Jr., who is also the elected committeeman for the 2nd Ward, 3rd Precinct of Ridley Township, said he planned to be at his home polling place for all 13 hours that the polls were open. Hackett Jr. wasn’t officially on his father’s campaign but he seemed to feel good about the outcome as the polls opened Tuesday.

"We’re expecting a good turnout for dad. It was great in 2010 and I think people are more fired up now. And dad’s liked by both sides so I think that helps us out, no matter what people do nationally,” Hackett Jr. said Tuesday morning. “I think as long as we keep working it, we’ll be OK. We have good people behind us, so I think we can get it done."

And the Hackett family did in fact, get it done.

We also spoke with Democratic challenger Larry DeMarco when the polls opened Tuesday morning as he greeted voters with a handshake and a smile in Nether Providence Township.

DeMarco said he thought his campaign had gone very well.

“It was a great coordinated effort and a great ground game,” DeMarco said Tuesday morning.

All results are unofficial. Results do not include Absentee, Provisional, or Remote Military votes.