Brian Fitzpatrick wins 1st Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican, won his fifth term in Congress Tuesday night after defeating Democrat and Army veteran Ashley Ehasz.

A former FBI agent who staked his political reputation on moderation won a rematch against Ehasz to represent Bucks County.

Fitzpatrick, 50 years old, ran a quiet campaignavoiding the media and questions about whether he supports Donald Trump.

His re-election is another show of strength by the party. republicans in the purple district. Fitzpatrick managed to retain the seat he had held since 2017 even as Republican legislators in other Philadelphia districts lost the race to Democratic challengers.

Fitzpatrick thanked supporters in a statement and pointed to their “values ​​of unity, bipartisanship and independence.”

“I will continue to work tirelessly to represent us all, our united community, as a bridge builder, and in the future as the No. 1 most independent member of Congress, as we strive to build consensus and cooperation, consistently exposing the forces that seek to divide our community,” he said. “We are so fortunate to live in America’s most vibrant community, one that I have been proud to call home my entire life.”

Fitzpatrick had received 55.9% of the votes versus Ehas’s 43.1%, with an expected 99% of the votes. It was Ehasz’s second consecutive attempt to unseat Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick earned a reputation as an independent-minded Republican by putting distance between himself and Trump, although he often avoided direct criticism of the former president.

Ehas says the statement On Wednesday, he said it was a “dark morning in America,” calling on Fitzpatrick to “stand up for our democracy and the hundreds of thousands of women he represents to protect our freedom.”

“As a combat veteran who put his life on the line for our country, I will always fight for our democracy and to ensure equal rights—for all of us,” Ehas said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee congratulated Fitzpatrick on his victory, highlighting his “proven track record of commitment to success in his district.”

“Voters know that Rep. Fitzpatrick will continue to fight tirelessly in Congress to keep Pennsylvania communities safe, prosperous and free,” NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella said in a statement.

This year, Democrats had hoped Trump’s return to the ballot along with his abortion rights message would help Ehasz, 36, win.

But national Democrats have not devoted as many resources to Ehasz’s campaign as they have to other competitive districts, and the Democratic challenger has relied heavily on the same messaging she used in her unsuccessful 2022 campaign.