Incumbent Survives Challenge in New District

Democratic Congressman Joe Hoeffel claimed victory to a third term after defeating Republican challenger Melissa M. Brown. The two were battling over a newly remapped congressional district that experts felt would be more favorable to Republican candidates.

Brown refused to concede on election night in the close and hotly contested race. Hoeffel waited until midnight to claim victory. The race was much closer than anyone expected, and certainly more bitter. Questionable campaign materials were distributed in the final days of the campaign. Hoeffel accused Brown of racism and said she should be "ashamed of herself." He refused to mention her name in his victory speech. It is traditional for the winning candidate to extend a friendly hand to his or her opponent.