Vlasic wins reelection in Monessen magistrate contest
He captured a six-year term by defeating GOP challenger Jimi Quattro.
Magisterial District Judge Wayne Vlasic was reelected Tuesday by a wide margin.
Vlasic, a Democrat, was running against Jimi Quattro, a Republican.
According to unofficial election results, Vlasic, a Democrat, was leading Republican Jimi Quattro by an 1,882 to 1,250 margin at press time.
Vlasic held an election night party Tuesday night with friends and family at the Boulevard Event Hall in Monessen. He gave an emotional speech once it was evident he was going to win.
“I am overwhelmed,” Vlasic said. “This has been one heck of a ride for me, but also for all of you, because you were with me. And I can’t forget that it’s about family. It’s about friends and faith. You people stuck by my side.
“You were with me from day one, from last November, from the day after the general election, when we started, all the way until tonight. Everyone here was with me and stayed with me.”
Vlasic gave thanks to his family, including his wife, Kathy, and his daughter, Lindsey.
In his speech, Vlasic highlighted what he’s learned about people on the job and how he hopes to continue that for the next six years.
“We’re all human beings, but we all have a different story,” he said. “Everybody is different, every one of us, it’s just like a fingerprint, and you have to deal with everybody, individually, not collectively, not male, female, Black, white, Republican, Democrat.
“It’s all about individuality, about the person, not who they are; it’s that person. And that’s why I wanted to stay another six years, because I have a commitment to the people of my district to keep them treated fairly and honestly.”
Not too far from Vlasic’s celebration was Quattro, who monitored the returns with friends and family at the St. Vincent De Paul event center in Monessen. Quattro expressed disappointment with the results, but said he will run again in six years.
“My wife, my closest friend, they all stood with me through this,” Quattro said. “I mean, we knew going into it. My committee, I mean, phenomenal. They were all out here 13 hours today, in the cold, in the morning, they’ve done just phenomenal for me.
“I’m not a quitter. I’ll be back. I want to thank all the voters who voted for me and supported me, and believed in me. And I can’t ask for any more than that. He won the vote. The voters spoke.”
District Court 10-1-03, which is located in Monessen, also covers North Belle Vernon, Webster, Pricedale and portions of Lynnwood and Rostraver Township.
