Animal-Loving Combat Medic Mom Battles Leftist Social Activist And Libertarian In 163 Special Election
By Bob Small
It’s rather ironic that three female candidates are running in Pennsylvania’s 163rd state legislative district special election to replace the disgraced Mike Zabel (D), who resigned March 16 due to allegations of sexual misconduct.
The election is May 16.
The Delco-based 163rd consists of Aldan, Clifton Heights, Collingdale, and sections of Darby and Upper Darby townships. Democratic since 2016, Nicholas Miccozzie of the GOP served for a quarter of a century, from 1979 through 2014.
The Democrat in the race is Heather Boyd who was chief of staff for Representative Leanne Kruger and district director and chief advisor for Congressperson Mary Gay Scanlon. Boyd was a founder of Delco NOW and served on the Upper Darby School Board from 2015 through 2018.
Ms. Boyd earned a Bachelor’s n history from the University of Michigan in 1998 and a Master’s in art history from James Madison University in 2001. She resides in Drexel Hill with her husband Sean and their two children.
GOP candidate Katie Ford has an extensive resumé. She was a US Army combat medic for eight years, Penn State University Bachelor’s in family studies and human development, Master’s of Education from Arizona State University, and a certificate in foundations of infant mental health from the University of Pittsburgh.
Ms. Ford has worked as a children’s behavioral therapist. She has fostered and placed more than 40 dogs into their permanent homes. She and her husband, high-school sweetheart Stephen Ford, have three children and three dogs.
The anti-Ford ads have appeared during the local news, which means her candidacy is being taken seriously.
Alfie Goodwin, the Libertarian Party candidate, has a Bachelor’s from Thomas Edison University and a graduate from Lutheran Theological Seminary. Like Ford, she is a US Army veteran. She is also a retired police officer.
If the Ms. Ford wins, the Republicans will regain control of the State House.