Frankhouser wins Democratic primary for South Union Twp. Supervisor
Tom Frankhouser defeated Santino Guzzo to win Tuesday’s Democratic primary for South Union Township supervisor.
There are no Republican candidates for supervisor, so the winner of the Democratic primary will run unopposed in the fall general election unless there is a write-in or independent candidate. Supervisors serve six-year terms.
With 100 percent of the returns reported, Frankhouser captured 1,030 votes or 65 percent of the ballots cast while Guzzo garnered 560 votes or 35 percent of the ballots.
The results are unofficial until the Fayette County Election Board certifies the election.
Frankhouser, who has been a supervisor since 1978, serves as the chairman of the township’s board of supervisors. He campaigned on economic development within the township and how the board hasn’t raised taxes in decades.
A political newcomer, Guzzo has worked in automotive and retail sales, as a manager at PetCo in Greensburg and as general manager of Pearson’s Auto in Uniontown.
Guzzo campaigned on a platform aimed at reducing crime within the township. He received local notoriety after being attacked by a man dressed as a ninja in April 2011. Guzzo told police he saw the suspect, wearing dark clothing and a dark mask, hiding in a yard on Elm Street and that he confronted the man.
The suspect then pulled a sword out and attempted to stab Guzzo with it while Guzzo was sitting in his vehicle, police said. After failing to stab Guzzo, the suspect then busted the rear window out of Guzzo’s vehicle and fled on foot.
Guzzo outspent his opponent by more than a 2-1 margin when considering in-kind contributions.
To date, Guzzo has received $4,000 of in-kind contributions for services received from Caton Design Group in Uniontown. Seth Caton, vice president of Caton Design Group, is listed as the contributor in the finance report. Caton, a member of Guzzo’s campaign staff, designed the candidate’s website, created campaign business cards, among other duties reported as the in-kind donation in the expense report. Guzzo has spent about $500 for yard signs, according to the report.
Frankhouser has spent about $1,783, primarily for yard signs and campaign materials, according to his campaign finance report. Frankhouser donated the money to his campaign, which shows no debt.