Newcomer, state representative vie in special Pa. Senate election

If history and logic are indicators, a Delaware County Republican with decades of political experience and a mammoth campaign-funding advantage should have no problem defeating a Democratic newcomer in Tuesday's election.

But that is not stopping Marty Molloy.

In fact, not much has stopped the 39-year-old Wallingford Democrat in his foray into politics while running against State Rep. Tom Killion in Tuesday's special election for the vacant Ninth Senate District seat, long held by former GOP Senate Majority Leader Dominic F. Pileggi. Pileggi resigned after he was elected a county court judge.

But he has a few obstacles in his path. Killion, 58, a seven-term representative from Glen Mills, has a 30-1 advantage in fund-raising this year, and the GOP has controlled the seat for at least a half-century. And while the Democratic Party in Delaware County, where about two-thirds of the district's residents live, has made tremendous gains in registrations, the GOP has held the upper hand in party organization.

The special election for the district, which also includes several Chester County towns, marks the first time in 14 years that the seat is up for grabs. Democrats are seeking to boost their representation in the Senate, where the GOP holds a 30-19 advantage.

While the special election is being held at the same time as the Pennsylvania primary, separate voting booths will be in place in the Delaware County portion of the district, as the Senate election is open to all voters, not just major-party registrants. In Chester County portion, the same booths will be used for both elections.

Whoever wins the race would serve until January. Both nominees will run again in the November general election for a full term.

Molloy, who has worked for nonprofits and is a director of YouthBuild Philadelphia, a job-training program for at-risk young adults, said voters are ready for new perspectives and a leader who is not a "professional politician."

"The folks who I work with and who I serve are the ones who feel the decisions - or the lack of decisions - in Harrisburg most acutely," Molloy said. "It's frustrating and unconscionable that we hurt real folks in the community."

Killion said he has the political knowledge - including an eight-year stint on Delaware County Council - that voters need.

Molloy "wants to call me a career politician, but I think I've had a career of being involved in the community," Killion said.

Both hope to capitalize on the energy and turnout expected in this year's presidential primary. Molloy has pointed to big wins for Democrats in historically GOP territory during the last two presidential elections - President Obama won Delaware and Chester Counties, in 2008, and Delaware County again in 2012 - as a sign that national trends bode well for local Democrats.

Killion - and experts - disagree.

Pileggi "still won in the Obama years," Killion said. "This year is not like Obama, where he was blowing everyone away. You have a race on the Republican and the Democrat sides, and I think both are going to be energized."

Indeed, turnout trends this election instead may give Killion the boost, said Franklin and Marshall College political expert G. Terry Madonna.

"This election now looks like the Republicans are far more motivated than the Democrats," he said. "The Republican turnout in the primaries are at record levels."

In the race's final days, Molloy said he was campaigning for "fair funding" for schools, raising the minimum wage, and abortion rights for women.

Killion said he is focused on controlling taxes and spending, liquor privatization, and pension reform.

Senate leadership said the winner would be sworn in as soon as possible.

cmccabe@philly.com

610-313-8113@mccabe_caitlin