In the 4th Senatorial District, which includes eight wards in Northwest Philadelphia, the Latina candidate Ines Reyes didn’t stand a chance.

“I did not physically win, but I won the support of such wonderful people throughout this process,” Reyes said. “I will be running again in four years, with a bigger better army.”

The independent candidate of Dominican background as well as Republican candidate Robin Gilchrist were left behind by Democrat Art Haywood, who managed to get more than 80 percent of the vote.   

Haywood, who currently serves as Cheltenham Township Commissioner, will take the seat vacated by LeAnna Washington, who lost the democratic primaries to Haywood after she was involved in a scandal last spring. She was charged of felony and diversion of services and conflict of interest and agreed to resign last week in order to keep her pension and retirement benefits.

As he waited for the results that would give him the victory, Haywood said to AL DÍA that if elected he would focus in raising the quality of public education, raising minimum wage and reducing gun violence. 

In regards to his relationship with the Hispanic population, he said he’s been part of the general council of Esperanza for the last 20 years.

“During that time I’ve been involved in creating more opportunities for Latinos and people who have been traditionally excluded”, Haywood said. 

His district also includes the municipalities of Abington, Cheltenham, Jenkintown, Springfield and Rockledge in Montgomery County.