Yesterday's strong showing for Democratic candidates across the board manifested itself in Montgomery County's local races, where a hotly contested battle for an open state Senate seat saw Democrat Daylin Leach opening a wide margin over Republican Lance Rogers.

In the contest for the 17th District Senate seat held by retiring Democrat Connie Williams, Leach, a state representative, led Rogers, a commissioner in Lower Merion Township, by a ratio of roughly 3-2 late last night.

Leach attributed his advantage to his experience as an Assembly member for six years and the large turnout driven substantially by national Democratic efforts.

"I've won pretty big in years where it wasn't so good to be a Democrat, too," Leach said. "You can't rely on other people."

He also said Rogers' efforts "self-destructed, with a campaign that was 100 percent negative advertising in the race that turned out to have little effect."

Rogers did not return a call seeking comment.

In Montgomery County's state House races, results were incomplete late last night.

Republican Robert W. Godshall led Democrat Jack Hansen in District 53.

In District 61, Republican Kate M. Harper led Democrat Frank X. Custer.

In District 70, Democrat Matthew D. Bradford was in a close race with Republican Jay R. Moyer.

In District 146, Republican Thomas J. Quigley led Democrat James Prendergast.

In District 147, Republican Bob Mensch led Democrat Albert O. Van Anglen.

In District 148, Democrat Mike Gerber led Republican Matthew Maguire.

In District 149, Democrat Tim Briggs led Republican Lynne Lechter.

In District 150, Republican Mike Vereb was in a close race with Democrat Kelbin Carolina.

In District 151, Democrat Rick Taylor was in a close race with Republican Todd Stephens.

In District 152, Republican Thomas P. Murt led Democrat Lisa Romaniello.

In District 153, Democrat Josh Shapiro was re-elected without Republican opposition.

In District 154, Democrat Lawrence H. Curry was also re-elected without Republican opposition

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