Rep. DeLissio wins Democratic primary in the 194th

First term Democratic incumbent Pamela DeLissio defeated Ray Bailey in the Democratic primary for the 194th District’s state representative seat on Tuesday night. 

With 60 percent of the votes, DeLissio clinched her party’s nomination for the district, which includes portions of Montgomery County and much of Northwest Philadelphia. 

DeLissio was elected in November 2010 after longtime State Rep. Kathy Manderino decided to step down from her 18-year post. 

She says her top priorities for her next term include government reform in the areas of campaign finance and non-partisan redistricting.

“We need gerrymandering to stop,” said DeLissio, after voting in Roxborough on Tuesday, “things have got to change.”

DeLissio also has a focus on job creation through lifelong learning. She will host a meeting in May to talk about continuing education at community colleges and creating a robust technical track record for students.

“We have jobs available, but people aren’t skilled to do them,” said DeLissio.

DeLissio will face Republican challenger Linda Bateman in the November election. 

Meg Frankowski contributed to this report.