Margo Davidson made history four years ago when she became the first Democrat, the first female, and the first African American state representative in her Delaware County district.
But since that election, the political landscape has changed. The district's lines have been redrawn and it is now solidly Democratic. Perhaps more significantly for Davidson, who is considered a somewhat unconventional Democrat, she has two challengers from her own party.
Billy Smith, 39, a defense attorney and former Lansdowne Borough councilman, is campaigning against Davidson's vote to increase restrictions on abortion clinics and her support for school vouchers.
Dafan Zhang, 37, a University of Pennsylvania law student who lives in East Lansdowne, is running a low-budget campaign and has stayed out of a battle over Davidson's record.
With redistricting in 2012, the 164th District changed to include Lansdowne and parts of Yeadon in addition to parts of Upper Darby Township, East Lansdowne, and Millbourne.
The winner of the Democratic primary will oppose Republican Saud Siddiqui, CEO of the Upper Darby Caring Foundation. But "the real election might be the primary," said Randall Miller, a history professor at St. Joseph's University, because the district is firmly Democratic.
Smith said he decided to run after researching Davidson's record. He has cast himself as the pro-choice and anti-school-voucher candidate.
"I bring these points up . . . to say, 'Is this who you want, Mr. and Mrs. Democrat in the 164th District, representing your interests?'" Smith said in an interview.
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Incumbent Delco Democrat faces challenges in primary