Munroe takes narrow victory over McPhillips in Pa. House race

(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)

State Rep. Brian Munroe appears to have won a second term representing the 144th Legislative District in Bucks County.

Munroe faced off against Republican challenger Dan McPhillips, who sat on the Warminster Board of Supervisors with Munroe several years ago and is currently Bucks County’s Recorder of Deeds.

With all 28 precincts in the district reporting, unofficial results have Munroe with 50% of the vote to 49% for McPhillips of 39,695 votes counted as of early Wednesday morning. The unofficial turnout rate appears to be 81% in the district.

Munroe first won the seat representing Warminster, Warrington, Ivyland and part of New Britain Township in 2022, beating out former Republican state Rep. Todd Polinchock by approximately 400 votes.

Republicans lead in the 144th Legislative District with 44% of 48,780 registered voters, while Democrats are four points behind at 40%.

“I am honored to have the privilege of continuing to represent District 144 for another term in Harrisburg. I pledge to continue my work of funding our police and emergency services, ensuring our schools receive all the resources they need, bringing even more grant money back to HD 144, and protecting reproductive freedom,” Munroe said in a statement Wednesday.

“During this campaign I have had the opportunity to meet and speak with residents all over the district, connecting on our shared interest in making our community safer and stronger. I am grateful for their trust in me to achieve these goals, and grateful that truth and honesty succeeded over lies and division.”

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The campaign trail heated up in the weeks leading up to the election after the McPhillips campaign and the Pennsylvania Republican Party ran ads that Munroe said “heavily implied” he was dishonorably discharged from the Navy over “secret arrests” in Virginia Beach 30 years ago.

Munroe previously provided a copy of his DD-214 showing he was honorably discharged from the Navy. He's maintained he has never been “arrested” or charged with a crime that jeopardized his military service or his past employment as a police officer.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: State Rep. Brian Munroe, Bucks Democrat, wins reelection to PA House