Pennsylvania primary: Fitzpatrick beats GOP challenger Alex Entin in 1st district race

Bucks Republicans on Tuesday threw their support behind Brian Fitzpatrick, the moderate Republican who touts his bipartisan record, over newcomer Alex Entin, who claimed the incumbent is not holding true to conservative GOP values.

Unofficial vote totals from Bucks and Montgomery counties had Fitzpatrick with 60,201 votes as of Wednesday afternoon, compared to Entin's 31,685.

Fitzpatrick could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

LIVE RESULTS:Bucks County 2022 primary election results

When reached shortly after polls closed, Entin, of Northampton, said he was proud of his campaign and wouldn't change anything, regardless of outcome.

"I think I have had amazing grassroots support from people that came together for my campaign. I couldn't be more thankful to the people who put their lives on hold for this campaign.

"I have met a lot of amazing people through this great journey."

Sarah Chamberlain, president of the Washington, D.C.-based Republican SuperPAC Defending Main Street, was among the first to congratulate Fitzpatrick on his primary victory.

Defending Main Street endorsed Fitzpatrick early in the primary, and gave $100,000 in direct mail support to Fitzpatrick's campaign.

"Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is a proven fighter for Pennsylvania families who is working in Congress to grow Pennsylvania's economy," Chamberlain said. "Defending Main Street is proud to have supported Brian Fitzpatrick in the primary, and we look forward to seeing his victory in the fall."

Yet not all were impressed with Fitzpatrick's victory.

Leadership with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee immediately assailed Fitzpatrick's record, claiming that "when it matters most," Fitzpatrick has aligned with conservative Republican leadership in Congress.

"Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has been all talk, no action in Washington," said DCCC Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney. "Bucks and Montgomery Counties deserve a member who will represent them, not a coward who will fold to MAGA party bosses."

More on Fitzpatrick-Entin:Pennsylvania primary 2022: In 1st District, will GOP voters choose moderate incumbent, or 'America First' newcomer?

Entin had an uphill battle in this primary, as he had to contend with a huge fundraising disparity and a lack of name recognition.

Dr. Terry Madonna, co-founder of the Franklin and Marshall College Poll, forecast those being issues for Entin.

“The first point is that money matters, especially if the candidate is established. That, along with name recognition, is important in any race, regardless of campaign,” Madonna said. “The second point is how the candidate uses that money. They can use the money to introduce themselves as a candidate. And name recognition is extremely important, particularly in the primaries."

Fitzpatrick will face Democrat Ashley Ehasz in November. She was unopposed in her party's primary.

Ehasz released a statement shortly after polls closed, linking her experience as a combat fighter to her preparedness to fight for local communities while in Washington.

“I have fought for and served my country, facing combat overseas and commanding soldiers at home and abroad, and now I am ready to step into the arena for PA-01 and fight for our families and future here in Bucks and Montgomery Counties," read a portion of Ehasz' statement. "With skyrocketing costs of living and reproductive rights on the line in 2022, it is more important than ever to elect leadership who puts people and democracy over political partisanship.

"The Republican party’s anti-choice, anti-family agenda has let our district down, and I’m running for Congress so our community can have the rights, opportunities and economic security we deserve.”

Maloney said Ehasz is the ideal candidate to take on Fitzpatrick in November.

"Veteran and former Apache helicopter pilot Ashley Ehasz has fought to defend our country and its values her entire life, and will continue to do so in Washington," Maloney said. "Her focus on fighting for small businesses, lowering costs for Bucks and Montgomery County residents, and protecting a women’s right to make decisions about her own body is in complete contrast to far-right enabler Brian Fitzpatrick.”

Bucks County Republican Party chair Pat Poprick said Fitzpatrick has what it takes to attract unaffiliated and undecided voters, as well as conservative Republicans, in November.

"I think Brian is in the best position to win in the fall," she said. "He knows the county and the voters. He does what he believes is best for the county."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Brian Fitzpatrick defeats Alex Entin face in 1st Congressional District primary