Kasunic wins nod for district judge
With all votes tallied in the race for magisterial district judge in a newly realigned district in Fayette County, it appeared the son of a state senator won both the Democrat and Republican nominations.
Richard A. Kasunic II finished atop a field of five to secure the nods, despite early reports Tuesday evening that Soni Shaner Mancuso was ahead on the Republican ticket with 100 percent of the vote counted.
In the morning, the county’s election website was updated to reflect that Kasunic won the Republican nod as well, by five votes.
Kasunic is the son of state Sen, Richard A. Kasunic, D-Dunbar, and Shaner Mancuso is the daughter of Magisterial District Judge Dwight K. Shaner.
Richard A. Kasunic II locked up the Democratic nomination, knocking out three other newcomers and current Magisterial District Judge Jesse J. Cramer.
Shaner Mancuso held a four-vote lead on the Republican ballot over Kasunic.
The state Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that Cramer’s district will be consolidated with the neighboring district of Magisterial District Judge Dwight K. Shaner, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 before the end of this year. Shaner has announced he will retire and not seek re-election.
Cramer, of Belle Vernon, was seeking his sixth term and would have run unopposed to retain his seat. However, because of the consolidation, he had to face the candidates who had planned to run for Shaner’s seat, including Kasunic and Shaner Mancuso, and candidates Kenneth Jaynes and George Stash III.
The consolidated district will include Belle Vernon, Dawson, Dunbar, Everson, Fayette City, Newell, Perryopolis and Vanderbilt boroughs and Dunbar, Franklin, Jefferson, Lower Tyrone, Perry, Upper Tyrone and Washington townships. All election results and vote totals are unofficial.