."For state Rep. Stephen Barrar, Tuesday’s big win for
Republicans was a “mandate” for the GOP.

Barrar, who won an eighth term as the representative for the
160th Legislative District, made the comment during a post-election gathering
at Pescatore’s on Route 202 in Chadds Ford Township.

He said it was a “great night for Republicans,” but that the
party needs “to restore fiscal responsibility.”

In an interview, Barrar said he has some definite plans for
his eighth term, but that finances are key.

“This voter turnout was about reforming the legislature, the
way we operate. They sent a message to Harrisburg that they want us to get our
financial house in order,” he said.

The Republican victory, both in the state and the country
was a reflection that voters want legislators to be fiscally responsible,
according to Barrar, but it’s up to the legislators to make it work.

“We have a huge mandate…but, then again, we have to live up
to the expectations of the voters. The next legislature has a huge task in
trying to solve this $5 billion budget deficit without raising taxes,” he said.

During the interview, the issue of ballot access was
broached. Candidates for statewide offices from the Libertarian, Green and
Constitution parties were kept off the ballot when the Republicans and
Democrats threatened costly challenges to signatures collected. Third party
candidates needed more than 19,000 signatures to get on the ballot for those
statewide races, while Republican and Democratic Party candidates needed only
2,000.

Barrar said he wants to see ballot access procedures
simplified for all parties, and that he has some ideas he wants to work on. He
did not elaborate.

“I think we need to do an entire comprehensive package of
voter reform bills that deal with ballot access and fraud…and then make it
easier for a third party candidate to get on the ballot,” he said.

Barrar’s 18,070 votes in the district—that also includes townships
in Chester County—represents more than 66 percent of the total. Democrat Nick
DiGregory took 7,755 votes and independent Dave Cleary picked up 1,307.

Fellow Republican Chris Ross also won re-election with 63.69
percent of the votes in the 158^th Legislative District. The totals
were 15,480
for Ross and 8,769 for Democrat Susan F. Rzucidlo.

In the 16^th Congressional District race, incumbent
Republican Joe Pitts again beat Democratic Party challenger Lois Herr. Totals
there were 25,140 for Pitts, 18,351 for Herr.

Other Republican wins went to Pat Meehan over Bryan Lentz
for the 7^th Congressional District race. That seat was vacated when
democrat Joe Sestak opted to run for U.S. Senate. He lost to Republican Pat
Toomey in that race. Also winning was Tom Corbett who defeated Democrat Paul
Onorato for governor.

Chadds Ford Democratic Party Chairman was not pleased with the results: "My general thoughts are that the Chinese are rubbing their hands
with glee over the elections results watching the slide of our country to second
class status, initiated by Reagan, accelerated under Bush and now to culminate
with the ultimate purveyors of ignorance, vengefulness and incompetence: The
Tea Party.

"My personal thought is to leave Pennsyltucky and return to
civilization (NYC or London)," he said in an e-mail.

This election, Chadds Ford residents voted at Calvary Chapel for  the first time. No problems were reported. Indeed, election worker Gail Force, the majority inspector said it was great.

"We have heat. We have light.We have hospitality."