Five candidates have emerged for the two four-year Delaware County Council seats open this election as voters are set to make their choices Tuesday.
Incumbent Council Vice Chair Richard Womack and county Controller Joanne Phillips are Democrats running in the race as Liz Piazza and former Upper Darby Councilman Brian Burke are Republicans interested in the seat, with Charles Alexander of Broomall as a write-in candidate.
Womack
Richard Womack is Vice Chair of Delaware County Council. The Democrat is seeking re-election to his post. (COURTESY OF THE WOMACK CAMPAIGN)
Womack, 63, is vice chair of council and has served on council since 2022. He is former chair of the Darby Township Board of Commissioners and has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the labor movement. He is a graduate of the National Labor College and AFL-CIO Organizing Institute.
He said he is running for re-election to continue delivering real results for the people of Delaware County.
“As vice chair of county council, I’ve seen firsthand the urgent and complex needs of our communities; ranging from health care access and infrastructure to affordable housing and economic opportunity,” he said. “I’ve made it a priority to work with member of council to address these issues. I am also actively exploring options to stabilize tax rates while maintaining essential public services, and creating safe, affordable housing options for working families and seniors.
“Just as importantly,” Womack continued, “I will continue to stand firm against federal policies that threaten the livelihoods, dignity, and well-being of our residents; particularly those that create fear, instability, or economic hardship for working families. I will also advocate for fairness, accountability, and worker protections for our own county employees, ensuring our government leads by example in treating its workforce with respect and equity.”
He explained why voters should pick him to serve again.
“Voters should support me because I have the experience, commitment, and track record to continue moving Delaware County forward,” Womack said. “As the incumbent, I bring an insider’s understanding of county operations and have worked collaboratively with my colleagues to manage competing priorities while expanding services and improving transparency. I know how to build government capacity that serves not just systems, but people, workers, families, and municipalities alike. My background as a labor advocate and former local government leader gives me the perspective and passion to fight for everyday residents and deliver meaningful, lasting change.”
Phillips
Joanne Phillips, who currently serves as the Delaware County controller, is a Democrat seeking to be elected to county council (COURTESY OF THE PHILLIPS CAMPAIGN)
Phillips, 67, was first elected as Delaware County controller in 2017, then re-elected in 2021.
“I made a major change in my life to run for county controller in 2017 because I was committed to making a difference in government at the local level and to make government work for all of our residents,” she said. “I brought commitment and leadership to the controller’s position for eight years, but I am term limited and cannot run for that office again.
“However, I am not finished with my work and I want to take what I have learned as controller and continue to serve the people of Delaware County,” Phillips explained.
She said her priorities on council would be expanding economic opportunities to create new jobs and expand the tax base; protecting our people and resources; working to provide critical services to residents that help them live, work and raise their families in the county; and using taxpayer money wisely and run an efficient and cost effective government that puts the people first.
Phillips also shared why voters should choose her for council
“I believe I am the most qualified candidate for this seat,” she said. “I have worked very hard and bring eight years of county experience leading the controller’s office where I have been responsible for payroll, accounts payable, audits, financial reporting and our pension fund. I have experience working with and helping many of the people in the county departments and the courts.
“I also have attended almost all council meetings, sit on the Jail Oversight Board, and am the secretary to the Retirement Board,” Phillips continued. “As an experienced attorney, a Delco resident for 37 years, the wife of a union laborer for 44 years, a working mother of two children who both went through our public schools, I have a good perspective on how to solve problems. I will work and fight as hard as it takes to get something done right. I am practical, fair, and honest.”
Piazza
Liz Piazza, a Republican, is seeking election to one of two Delaware County Council seats. (COURTESY OF THE PIAZZA CAMPAIGN)
Piazza, 65, is operations manager for small business in Aston, Piazza Property Pros Inc. & Pro Pool Experts LLC. She is also retired from Delaware County Court Family Law Division.
She also serves as a committeewoman in Upper Providence, something she has done from 1999 to 2001 and then again since 2023. She served as a Media committeewoman in 2022 and she also ran unsuccessfully as the Republican candidate in the 165th state representative race last year.
She shared her reasons for running for county council.
“I am running for council to make a difference in our local government,” she said. “I will be the people’s voice and bring both sides together to focus on solutions.”
Piazza also listed her priorities for the role.
“My priorities are to protect our taxpayers, to oversee responsible spending and budget management and ensure public safety for our residents,” she said. “I have worked in government and now in small business, so I understand the issues from multiple viewpoints. I will bring a new perspective to county council and fight for what is right while encouraging the best outcome through cooperative problem solving.”
She explained why voters should put her name on the ballot.
“Residents can trust me to make decisions based on what works for the county, not a political agenda,” Piazza said. “I am committed to reducing spending and putting an end to perpetual tax increases. The current council raised taxes by over 23% this year and there is $41 million of revenue in the budget from one-time sources. If the council continues their current course, they will either quickly deplete our resources or have to raise taxes substantially. That’s an unfair burden on our communities.”
Plus, she added, “I’ve raised my family in Delaware County and I work for small businesses. I know how important it is to budget carefully so you can provide what is necessary and not go broke doing so. The people of Delaware County deserve a council member who understands what tax dollars really are; our residents’ hard-earned money.”
Burke
Brian Burke, a Republican, is running for election to Delaware County Council. (COURTESY OF THE BURKE CAMPAIGN)
Burke, 59, is a steamfitter with the Steamfitters Local 420. He was elected to Upper Darby Council in 2019 and became council president in 2022. He also ran unsuccessfully for Upper Darby mayor in 2023.
He stated why he is running for county council.
“I’m running because our county is in trouble,” Burke said. “The mismanagement and overspending needs to stop. The moves being made by the current council are hurting the people of Delaware County and I can’t sit back and let that happen.”
He also outlined his priorities.
“My priority is making Delaware County a safe and affordable place to live,” Burke said. “I grew up in this county, raised my kids here and hope they’ll raise their kids here one day. That won’t happen if property taxes keep increasing. Tax hikes make rent unaffordable and home ownership for new families out of reach. The people of Delaware County are getting taxed more and more and not getting much for it.”
He presented his reasons why voters should pick him.
“I am not afraid to ask the hard questions and I stand up for what is right,” Burke said. “I will take a hard look at the budget and fight to remove any unneeded expenses. My opponents have proven they are not able to do the same.”
Alexander
Charles Alexander, who sought the GOP nomination in the primary, is running as a write-in candidate for Delaware County Council. (COURTESY OF THE ALEXANDER CAMPAIGN)
Charles Alexander, 38, a property manager, is a write-in candidate for council. He sought the Republican nomination in the spring and was kicked off the ballot for failing to file his Statement of Financial Interest in time. That’s something he disputes categorically.
Alexander shared why he wants to serve on county council.
“I became politically active when the Delaware County Council tried to do sinister things with the property known as Delco Woods,” he said. “I led the resistance and the subsequent defeat of the county council’s plans. From there I became an active member of the Delco political community and worked for a political action committee during the last presidential election cycle to learn the ins and outs of elections.”
He said his priority is to give the people of Delaware County a candidate that will do what is right for the people of Delaware County and not for some party’s financial interests.
Alexander shared why people should select him for the council role.
“Well, they will have to write me in,” he said. “The political powers (that be) of Delco made sure I will not appear on the ballot. Voters should vote for me because I will actually represent the people of Delaware County and not anyone’s financial interests. I will find ways to lower taxes and end kickbacks. I will help improve the management and function of our Delaware County departments. When you talk to employees of these departments they will candidly tell you about the poor working conditions and the poor quality of management. Day 1, I would start fixing that.”
Special question
All of the candidates shared what makes Delaware County special to them.
“As a Delaware County native, what I love most is its diversity, spirit, and sense of pride,” Womack said. “We are a community of many cultures, faiths, and backgrounds united by shared values. This county is full of people who work hard every day to make it a better place for their families and neighbors.
“Our rich heritage and willingness to act for the common good set us apart,” he continued. “From our green spaces, walkable main streets, historic neighborhoods and small businesses, Delaware County is overflowing with opportunity for longtime residents, newcomers, entrepreneurs, and families planting roots. We’ve come a long way since I was a young man growing up in Darby Township and that’s why I am committed to working with my colleagues on council to ensure greater possibilities for inclusion, economic growth, civic innovation, and shared prosperity throughout all of Delaware County.”
Phillips shared what she likes, as well.
“One of the things I really like about the county is that although we are a county of diverse people and many of us love our individual towns and neighborhoods, everyone also proudly identifies themselves as a resident of ‘Delco,’ ” she said. “While we have differences, I think we share similar values that center on our families, faith, school pride, hard work, and our sports, and we seem to recognize that in each other. If you meet another Delco person, you can always find something or someone you have in common.”
Piazza shared what makes her like the county she calls home.
“Delco is a large county with small town charm,” she said. “I’ve been to community events throughout Delco and no matter what township it is, there is a sense of belonging. Delco is a place where people look out for one another; it’s not just a county, it’s afamily.”
Burke shared his reasons as well.
“I love Delaware County,” he said. “It has been my home all my life and I always look for ways to give back. I served on the boards of the Pilgrim Gardens/Aronimink Civic Association, the St. Dorothy Athletic Association and Aronimink Swim Club Board. The people of Delaware County are one of a kind. This place is the definition of community.”
For Alexander, there’s one special thing that makes Delaware County unique.
“The people,” he said. “There is only one group of people like the people of Delco in the entire world. We are real and we speak things with our chest.”
The responsibility
County Council is responsible for the legislative and administrative functions of county government, including passing a budget, passing ordinances and resolutions, identifying capital projects needed to be completed such as improvements at the Fair Acres Geriatric Center or the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, and determines which services are needed and best serve county residents.
While many social and human services programs are funded through federal and state funds, county council is the one that distributes them.
Council is also involved in other aspects that impact Delaware County such as economic development, public transportation, waste disposal, housing, land use and culture.