Valley voters decide county, municipal races
This year’s primary election featured several contested races throughout the Mon Valley.
By STACY WOLFORD
swolford@yourmvi.com
Here is a look at several county and municipal election results in Allegheny, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
All results are unofficial until certified by the election bureaus.
Allegheny County
In the race for Allegheny County sheriff, incumbent Democrat Kevin M. Kraus defeated GOP challenger Brian Weismantle, 262,003 to 102,186, with 1,178 of 1,327 precincts reporting as of press time.
Glassport
Glassport Mayor Keith S. DiMarco, a Democrat, was unopposed for reelection and received 501 votes with four of six precincts reporting at press time.
For one of three, four year seats on council, incumbent Democrats Paul Trunzo, (380 votes) Anthony Colecchi (354 votes) and Meghan De-Verse (297 votes) appeared to fend off a challenge by Republican Wendy J. Boor (213 votes) with four of six precincts reporting.
For one two-year council seat, Democrat Robert Miskanin had 473 votes at press time.
White Oak
Longtime Mayor Ina Jean Marton was unopposed for reelection. With 100% of precincts reporting, she had 2,194 votes.
Winning one of four, fouryear council seats were Democrat Brian Dinkfelt (1,391 votes), incumbent Loree L. Scharritter, (1,385), Democrats Amy R. Sotereanos, 1,350, and Janice Kortz, 1,277.
Coming up short were Republicans Jason D. Russell, (1,213), Julie Opferman, (1,207), and Joelle Harbert (1,157), according to unofficial election results.
Washington County row offices
In the race for Washington County controller, Democrat Heather Sheatler defeated Republican Pat Phillips. With 100% of precincts reporting, Sheatler had 31,686 votes, Phillips, 28,178. Sheatler has been serving as acting controller.
The controller seat was vacated by former controller April Sloane after she pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty and agreed to resign from the position.
Sheriff Tony Andronas and Recorder of Deeds Carrie Perrell both ran for reelection unopposed, having secured party nominations in the spring. Andronas had 50,921 votes, while Perrell garnered 41,997.
Bentleyville
Bentleyville Borough had four, four-year seats up for grabs and there were plenty of candidates.
With 100% of precincts reporting, winning council seats were Republican Joseph Pigeon III, with 374 votes, Democrat Timothy Miller, 357, Democrat Kathy Rakosky, 343, and Republican Kimberly Greenfield Sacco, 295.
Falling short were Democrat Joshua Gordon, 281, Republicans Jonathan L. Patress, 263, and Jason Cole, 233, and Democrat Lance Kavakich, 136.
For the mayor’s seat, Democrat Adrian J. Gordon defeated Republican Jason Cole, 391 to 244, according to unofficial election results.
California Borough
California Borough Council had four, four-year seats open.
Winning the council positions were Democratic incumbents Patsy J. Alfano, 504 votes, Edwin “Chip” Glab, 501, and Jon Bittner, 486. Taking the fourth spot was Republican Franklin D. Turosik, with 398 votes, according to unofficial election results and 100% of precincts reporting. Coming up short were Republicans John Frank, 372, Mike Watson, 367, and Benjamin Michael Filek, 255. There were 51 write-in votes.
Republican Mayor Frank D. Stetar was unopposed as he secured the nomination in the spring. He had 635 votes.
Donora
Donora had four, four-year seats open on council.
With 100% of precincts reporting, candidate Neal Rands had , 646 votes, Michelle Kitchens, 499, Mark Bizzell Boyer, 438; and Roderick Wilson Sr., 431.
Mayor Don Pavelko, a Democrat, was unopposed for reelection and received 636 votes.
Long Branch
With 100% of precincts reporting, the top vote getters for one of three, four-year seats on Long Branch council are Douglas W. Santo, 112 votes, Julie Bulboff, 95, and Walter Philipkosky, 94. Coming up short was Douglas Dantzer, 67. There were 57 write-in votes.
Michael R. Natale was elected mayor with 122 votes, having secured the Democratic and Republican nomination in the spring against longtime mayor Joseph DeBlassio. There were 67 write-in votes.
North Charleroi
Winning two, four-year seats on council were Democrats Joseph E. Duche with 183 votes, and Republican Fred Schwalb, 147 votes, according to unofficial election results. Democratic candidates Edwin J. Uhutch (100 votes) and Republican Amanda Santoro (74) fell short.
Democratic Mayor Stephen M. Sergi (222 votes) won reelection with no opposition.
West Brownsville
Winning one of four, fouryeat seats on West Brownsville council were Von Braddock, 178 votes, Stephen Bucar, 132, Debby L. King, 128, and Susan Rutledge, 125. Coming up short were Melonie Ochkie, 105, and Mark R. Tobak, 95.
Republican W. Dean Lacey won reelection as mayor with 148 votes.
Magistrate district offices for nomination
Magisterial District Judge Eric Porter was uncontested for his second, six-year term for District 27-1-03, which encompasses Allenport, Bentleyville, Charleroi, Dunlevy, Elco, Fallowfield, Long Branch, North Charleroi, Roscoe, Speers, Stockdale and Twilight. Porter crossfiled to retain his seat for the Charleroi-based position. He received 3,590 total votes.
27-3-03 District Judge Magisterial District Judge Joshua Kanalis was uncontested for his third term for District 27-3-03, which comprises Beallsville, California, Centerville, Coal Center, Cokeburg, Deemston, East Bethlehem, Ellsworth, Marianna, North Bethlehem, Somerset, West Brownsville and West Pike Run. Kanalis was first elected in 2007. He received 4,751 total votes.
Fayette County
Incumbent Recorder of Deeds Jon R. Marietta Jr., a Republican from Redstone Township, fended off a challenge by Democrat James Santilli of South Union Township, 15,501 to 14,303, with 100% of precincts reporting.
County Treasurer
Incumbent county Treasurer Melissa Tzan, a Republican, also defeated Democratic challenger Matthew Lancaster of Menallen Township, 16,657 to 13,065, according to unofficial election results.
Belle Vernon Borough
Longtime Mayor Gerald W. Jackson, a Democrat, was unopposed for reelection and had 129 votes with 100% of precincts reporting.
Winning one of three, four-year council seats are Democratic incumbent Frank E. Monack, 106 votes, and Republican Denise A. Stasko, 99. There appears to be a tie for the last spot on council as Democratic incumbent Laurie Lazzari Charnack and Republicans Edward A. Stasko Sr. both have 89 votes, according to unofficial election results.
Incumbent Joseph Minniti Jr. came up short with 87 votes.
There are two write-in votes.
Jefferson Township
There was one, six-year seat open for Jefferson Township supervisor. Democrat William L. Stuckslager topped Republican Tony Hela, 350 to 208 votes, with 100% of precincts reporting.
Westmoreland County
In the county-wide races, Clerk of Courts Megan A. Loughner won reelection with 82,088 votes, new Coroner John Ackerman had 84,506 votes, District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli, 81,486 votes, Prothonotary Gina OBarto, 82,253 votes, and Register of Wills Katie Pecarchik had 84,102 votes.
Monessen
First-term Mayor Ron Mozer, a Democrat, faced no opposition for his reelection bid, nor did Councilmen Anthony W. Orzechowski and John Scott Nestor, both Democrats. With 100% of precincts reporting, Nestor had 1,264 votes, Orzechowski, 971. Mozer had 1,467 votes.
There were 90 write-in votes for mayor.
City Treasurer Gerald A. Saksun (1,586 votes) had no opposition for reelection.
North Belle Vernon
Longtime Democratic incumbent Mayor Craig V. Ambrose faced no opposition for reelection. He had 353 votes with 100% of precincts reporting.
There were only three candidates for one of four, four-year council seats: Democrats Jon P. Wasicek, 269 votes, Karen W. Jones, 258, and John J. Gilmore, 235.
Rostraver Township
There were two, four-year seats on the ballot for Rostraver Township commissioner. Incumbent Republicans Jeff Johnson and Justin Kosanko had no opposition. With 100% of precincts reporting, Johnson had 1,967 votes and Kosanko had 1,809 votes. according to unofficial election results.
West Newton
Longtime Mayor Mary Popovich, a Democrat, fended off a GOP challenger Robert Kepics to win reelection. With 100% of precincts reporting, Popovich had 514 votes while Kepics had 323.
Democrats Jason Cooper (461 votes), Terri Sam Eckels (456) and Jacqueline Pawlik (381) won one of three, fouryear seats on council. Coming up short were Charles Krasnevich, 374 votes, and Brenda L. Maleski, 373.
