Westmoreland County: Several races shaping up for November
By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
In the Mon Valley, there aren’t many contested primary races at the local level, but there will be a few in November.
In Westmoreland County, that includes county row offices.
There are also some races that won’t be contested in the spring or fall.
Uncontested until November
The race for Westmoreland County district attorney will not be contested until November when incumbent Democrat John Peck of New Kensington squares off against Republican Nicole Ziccarelli of Lower Burrell, who lost her bid to unseat state Sen. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport, earlier this year.
The prothonotary office will be up for grabs in November as incumbent Christina O’Brien hasn’t filed to run for re-election. Republican Gina O’Barto of Unity Township and Democrat Tom Murphy of New Kensington will be the candidates.
The clerk of courts office will have a battle in the primary and in November. Current acting Clerk of Courts Megan Loughner of Unity Township, a Republican, will square off against fellow Republican Dorey Stabile McCarron of North Huntingdon Township in May. The winner of the primary will face Democrat Muzzy Colosimo of Hempfield in November.
Incumbent Coroner Kenneth Bacha, a Democrat from Greensburg, will face Republican Tim Carson of Scottdale in November.
The race for Rostraver Township Commissioners will not be contested until the general election in November.
There are two, four-year terms open with two Democrats and two Republicans running.
Incumbent Democrat Ray Iacoboni is running for re-election. Democrat Matt Washowich is also running for election. Republicans Jeffrey Johnson and Justin Kosanko will square off against them in November.
Incumbent Henry Boldyzar Jr. has not filed to run for re-election.
Completely uncontested races
Belle Vernon Area School Board has four openings and four candidates who have all crossfiled. The race is uncontested in the primary and in the general election.
Candidates who filed for the Westmoreland County portion of the district are Tara M. Jurczak and incumbent Michelle Callaway-Rodriguez. In Fayette County, incumbent Joe Grata and John Habel III are running.
Incumbents Dan Kovatch and Kathleen Forte have not filed to run for re-election.
North Belle Vernon Council has four spots open and four candidates, who are all incumbent Democrats — Barbara Day, Geoffrey DeWitt, Jack Curran and Jon Wasicek.
North Belle Vernon Mayor Craig Ambrose, a Democrat, is also running for re-election unopposed.
The Monessen School Board has four spots open and there are four Democrats running.
Incumbent Cheryl Galilei is running for re-election. She is joined by fellow Democrats Teresa Dzurko Speicher, Christie Martin Zizis and Marc Bellora.
Incumbents Roberta Bergstedt, Donna Fantauzzi and Maria Scuteri are not seeking re-election.
To read the rest of the story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at http://monvalleyindependent.com.
