by Alex Lloyd Gross
It was just after 10:30 PM November 2, 2021, when Bensalem’s Treasurer-Elect, Mike Brill walked onto the floor of the Bensalem County Club. He was there to announce preliminary election results and it looked good for the republican party. “These numbers are unofficial, we still have to count a lot of mail in ballots, but so far it looks good,” he said. Then he added, “One race we can call now that is for Mayor of Bensalem. It’s another four years for Joe DiGirolamo, he said to rousing applause.
Then the mayor walked around the room, shaking hands and hugging his supporters. The numbers against democratic challenger are not even close. He got 7485 to Val Ridge getting 3229. It looked like a red wave for local offices in Bensalem as well. Preliminary numbers are as follows,
School board Ferrandez-3744
Hardison 3364
Devery 3323
Rivera 6702
Meyer 6699
Pettyjohn 6444
Patel 6491.
Council- Sloane 3605
Tokmajian 3643
Stolee 3198
Pilleri 6577
Champion 6799
Benitez 6609
Treaurer Ramos 3564
Brill 7249
All of the numbers are unofficial until certified by the board of elections. Mail ballots have to be counted and can swing a race. During his speech, the Mayor said “Bensalem won tonight,” as he was toasted with champagne. County races cannot be called as numbers from the upper and central area were unavailable.