Ellis, Merritt battle in Charleroi mayor’s race

Ellis, a former mayor, is also running for a seat on council.

Charleroi voters will choose their next mayor Nov. 4 in a race between longtime community advocate Nancy J. Ellis, who has previously served both as mayor and on borough council, and challenger Ernest Merritt, whose campaign centers on restoring public order, accountability and economic revitalization.

Ellis

Ellis, a Democrat, advanced to the general election after winning the nomination during the spring primary.

She also qualified as one of two Democratic candidates in the council race — a dual placement that means the outcome in November could reshape both the mayor’s office and the makeup of council. If Ellis wins more than one seat, she must choose between them.

Ellis said one of her top priorities as mayor would be to change the narrative surrounding Charleroi and strengthen its relationships with higher levels of government.

Ernest Merritt

“As mayor, one of my top priorities would be to work to change the perception of the borough and represent it in a positive manner,” Ellis said. “I would be proud to act as a goodwill ambassador for the borough. I would use the position of mayor to lobby county and state officials to help bring economic assistance and growth to the borough.”

She said public safety will also remain central to her leadership.

“As always, a priority of the mayor remains the safety of the citizens,” Ellis said. “The mayor sits on the regional police board, and this position affords the mayor the opportunity to share their input in the operation of the region, and to next look out for needs and interests of the residents of Charleroi.

“Also, the mayor must still play a role in speaking on behalf of the needs of the borough fire department.”

Merritt, a Republican, said his priorities focus on addressing what he called a humanitarian and economic crisis, restoring safety and rebuilding Charleroi’s image.

“Tackle the humanitarian crisis and restore public order,” Merritt said, describing his first priority.

He plans to “prioritize immediate relief for those affected by the Fourth Street Foods closure, including job placement programs, temporary housing assistance and partnerships with state and federal agencies to manage the sudden unemployment spike.”

He said the issue “isn’t about handouts — it’s about preventing chaos from spilling into our streets.” His plan calls for community clean-up initiatives, stricter code enforcement and a stronger police presence to “make Charleroi safe and welcoming for families again.”

Merritt also pledged to “hold the enablers accountable and root out mismanagement.” He said that includes “negligent local officials who ignored warning signs,” business leaders “who exploited cheap labor without investing in the community” and “external forces like federal immigration policies that dumped unchecked migration on small towns like ours.”

He said he would push for “independent audits of municipal spending, investigations into any corrupt dealings that allowed the town to deteriorate and legal action where warranted.”

“We’ve been sold out by elites and bureaucrats, and it’s time to make them pay to fund revitalization efforts,” Merritt said. “No more excuses; real accountability will rebuild trust and deter future failures.”

Merritt’s second priority focuses on revitalizing Charleroi’s economy by attracting “family-oriented businesses, small manufacturers and tourism ventures to fill the void left by Fourth Street Foods, Corning Glass, and Quality Pasta Company.”

“Reignite the ‘Magic City’ spirit,” he said, calling for tax incentives for employers who hire local workers, streamlined permitting for entrepreneurs, and investments in parks, riverfront spaces and family events “to draw visitors from across the Valley.”

His third priority highlights promoting Charleroi as a hub for “affordable living, outdoor recreation along the Monongahela, and heritage tourism tied to our glass-making history.”

“Open our own history museum to remember what Charleroi once was and can be again,” Merritt said. By focusing on “low regulations and family-focused amenities like better schools and safe neighborhoods,” he said, “we’ll create jobs, boost property values, and position Charleroi as the go-to spot for growth in the region — proving we can rise stronger without repeating past mistakes.”

The general election will be held Nov. 4, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Information on polling locations and sample ballots is available through the Washington County Election Office website.