Democrat Malagari Holds Off Challenger Miles Arnott To Win 53rd

LANSDALE, PA — After days of counting and uncertainty, Democratic State Rep. Steve Malagari has won re-election to his seat in the 53rd District, countering a tough challenge from Republican Miles Arnott in former GOP stronghold.

With all in-person votes and all mail-in votes received by 8 p.m. Tuesday now counted in Montgomery County, Malagari holds a 19,649 to 16,282 margin. Though some mail-in ballots received after 8 p.m. will continue to be counted through Friday, current totals show an insurmountable lead.

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“We did it," Malagari said in a statement early Thursday afternoon. "Throughout these difficult times, we came together to make this campaign a historic success, garnering more votes than any previous candidate in the 53rd District."

While the race was close, the former Lansdale borough councilman appears to have increased his margin of victory from an even closer 2018 election in which he defeated George Szekely 13,632 to 12,775. Thursday, Malagari contributed his success to "bipartisan support."

"We ran a community focused campaign and kept a positive message to outline our vision for our community," he said. "We ran this campaign much like how my office and I serve our community – with an emphasis on helping and talking to all of our neighbors, regardless of party affiliation."

Malagari's second straight victory here perhaps reflects the changing political orientation of the district, which was GOP-controlled from 1973 through 2018, with longtime Rep. Robert Godshall holding the seat for the bulk of that time. Godshall, who served the Commonwealth for decades, died in Nov. 2019.

Arnott, a local resident and horticulturist, campaigned against Malagari and Gov. Wolf's coronavirus restrictions. He was particularly vocal regarding the restaurant industry, calling for the economy to reopen to reboot local businesses.

The municipalities in the 53rd include Lansdale, Hatfield Borough, Hatfield Township, Franconia, the portion of Telford in Montgomery County, Souderton, and Salford.

Republicans control both branches of the legislature in Pennsylvania, with a 109-93 majority in the state house heading into the general election. The 53rd is one of many "swing" districts which will determine the balance of power in the state for the next two years.