Greek-American Democratic State Representative Steve Malagari secured a fifth consecutive term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday, November 3, defeating fellow Greek-American Republican Yanni Lambros in the 53rd Legislative District of Montgomery County.
The Associated Press declared Malagari the winner at 11:10 p.m. Eastern Time. With 99% of votes counted, the incumbent had received 18,592 votes, or 67.8%, compared with 8,816 votes, or 32.2%, for Lambros. The margin exceeded 9,700 votes, representing Malagari’s largest electoral victory since he first entered the state legislature in 2018.
The race attracted particular interest within Pennsylvania’s Greek-American community because both candidates share Greek ancestry and grew up in Lansdale, a Philadelphia suburb. The district includes Lansdale, Hatfield, Souderton, Telford and portions of Franconia and Montgomery townships.
Malagari strengthens Democratic hold on former Republican district
Malagari, 43, first won the seat in 2018, becoming the first Democrat to represent the district since 1972. The constituency had previously been represented for 36 years by Republican Robert Godshall.
Malagari’s electoral margins have increased steadily over successive elections. He initially won by approximately 1,000 votes in 2018, expanded his advantage to 3,000 votes in 2020 and more than 6,000 in 2022, before defeating Republican Cheryl Bonavita by over 7,000 votes in 2024.
During his latest campaign, Malagari emphasized reducing healthcare costs, strengthening public education, protecting reproductive rights and supporting working families. His campaign also highlighted property tax relief and investment in public safety.
Lambros, a Lansdale businessman who owns Koffee Korner Cafe, campaigned on reducing property taxes, supporting small businesses and increasing government transparency. According to North Penn Now, he secured the Republican nomination through a write-in campaign in May after no Republican candidate appeared on the primary ballot.
Greek heritage and political career
Malagari’s Greek roots trace to his mother’s family in Mytilene, on the island of Lesvos. In 2025, he joined the governing board of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association, which brings together elected officials of Greek descent from different countries.
Before his election to the Pennsylvania legislature, Malagari served on the Lansdale Borough Council from 2012 to 2018 and worked as a medical technologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He graduated from North Penn High School and Ursinus College.
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