Democratic Philly elects Whig to public office

Democratic Philly elects Whig to public office

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Democratic bastion of Philadelphia has elected a Whig to public office.

Voters chose Robert “Heshy” Bucholz to be an election judge in the Rhawnhurst section of the city. He joined the Modern Whig party about three years ago.

Bucholz believes he may be the first Whig to win at the ballot box in Philadelphia in nearly 160 years. Residents chose Whig Robert T. Conrad as mayor in 1854.

Bucholz beat his Democratic opponent 36-24 on Tuesday. As election judge, he’s responsible for overseeing equipment and procedures at the polls.

Bucholz told The Associated Press today that Whigs represent a sensible middle path between Democrats and Republicans.

Four U.S. presidents have been Whigs. The party largely disappeared in the 20th century, but was revived in 2007.