A western PA perspective on the county commissioner races in the Philly ‘burbs.

The lanky figure in the dark suit moved briskly from wheelchair to wheelchair, smiling as he passed out brochures to the nursing home residents who’d just heard his pitch for the GOP ticket for county commissioner.

Bruce Castor’s audience, several of them in their 90s, have lived long lives, but not long enough to remember a time when Republicans did not control the Montgomery County Courthouse. For 140 years, the GOP has held an unbroken majority on the three-member board.

Democrats claim that’s about to change.

If their well-funded challenge succeeds Tuesday, it would make local history, but more broadly, it could affirm a voting trend that could transform Pennsylvania from a classic swing state in state and national elections to one with a deepening shade of blue.