Democratic county row officer launches bid for State Senate

Bucks County Clerk of Courts Eileen Hartnett Albillar launched her campaign for the Sixth State Senate District on Wednesday.

Hartnett Albillar seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge incumbent Republican State Sen. Frank Farry.

Hartnett Albillar, a former Warrington Township supervisor who was elected to her countywide row office in 2023, enters the race with a background in social work and nonprofit leadership.

“I’m running for the State Senate because it’s time for new leadership that is willing to fight for everyday Bucks County residents,” Hartnett Albillar said in a statement. “Harrisburg isn’t listening to Bucks County, and we are paying the price: costs are going up, SEPTA’s funding is still broken, and families are struggling to make ends meet.”

The candidate cited her experience navigating complex systems and pledged to focus on lowering costs, growing the local economy, and fully funding public schools. 

Hartnett Albillar noted her involvement in preserving open space and the construction of a new police station during her time as a township supervisor.

The seat is currently held by Farry, a longtime former state representative who won the Senate office in 2022 following the retirement of GOP Sen. Tommy Tomlinson.

While the district is currently represented by a Republican, Hartnett Albillar’s campaign pointed to recent Democratic successes in the area, noting that both Gov. Josh Shapiro and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman carried the Sixth District in the 2022 election.

Hartnett Albillar starts her bid with a slate of endorsements, including from State Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, as well as Bucks County Commissioners Bob Harvie and Diane Ellis-Marseglia. She also received backing from Bucks County Sheriff Danny Ciesler, Prothonotary Donna Petrecco, and Represent PA, an organization that supports pro-choice women candidates.

Hartnett Albillar will officially kick off her campaign Wednesday evening with a fundraiser held in Langhorne, Farry’s hometown.

The Sixth District is comprised of several municipalities, including Bensalem, Lower Southampton, Middletown, Northampton, Upper Southampton, Warminster, Warwick, Warrington, and Wrightstown townships, along with the boroughs of Hulmeville, Ivyland, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, and Penndel.