Heated races lining up in some Mon Valley towns
Nearly all of the candidates seeking seats on local municipal bodies in the Mon Valley will be on the Democratic ticket in the primary, with no Republican mayoral candidates, two Republican council candidates and two Republican township supervisor candidates.
Third party candidates do not appear on the primary ballot.
Larry Spahr, director of the Washington County Voter Registration and Election Bureau, said party affiliation isn’t as significant at the local level as it appears to be at the national level.
“It’s just residents for the most part. Party distinction doesn’t mean much at the local level,” Spahr said.
The borough of Donora may have some of the most hotly contested municipal races in the Mon Valley for the upcoming primary election.
Three people are seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor, and eight Democrats are running for the four open seats on borough council. There are no Republican candidates for either position. Charleroi is a close second, with seven candidates seeking the Democratic nominations for the four open council seats and two Democrats seeking the party’s nomination for mayor.
Donora
The mayoral candidates in Donora are Dennis Gutierrez and John Conger, both current councilmen, and James McDonough II. Current Mayor Donald Pavelko did not submit petitions for re-election.
McDonough is also seeking one of the Democratic nominations for council. Also seeking the nominations are current council members Jimmie Coulter and Dale Shawley Jr., as well as challengers Edward Parquette, Pamela Ackerman, Michael McDowell, Cynthia Brice and Yancey Taylor.
Charleroi
There will be four open seats on Charleroi council, with three incumbents seeking Democratic nominations for the positions. They are Paul Pivovarnik, Frank Paterra and Larry Celaschi. Four additional Democratic candidates are Jody Doerfler Cheplic, Heidi Cramer, Jennine Lofink Motycki and Nancy Ellis, the former mayor.
Ellis is also seeking the Democratic nomination for mayor, as is current councilman Edward Bryner.
Bentleyville
There will be four council openings to be filled in Bentleyville in November. One candidate, Tim Jansante, is seeking the Republican nomination.
Three incumbents are seeking the Democratic nominations. They are Shannon Watson, Stanley Glowaski and Robert Paul.
Incumbent Thomas Brown is the only mayoral candidate. He is seeking the Democratic nomination.
California
In California Borough the race will be for mayor, with Rosemary Capanna and Jim Maddiex seeking the democratic nomination. There are no republican candidates.
There are four council seats open, with three Democratic candidates and one Republican, all currently seated on council. The Democrats are Patsy Alfano, Edwin “Chip” Glab and Jon Bittner. The Republican is Paula Gutosky.
New Eagle
There are too few candidates for the number of openings on New Eagle council, where there are three open four-year seats and an open two-year seat, according to the Washington County Election Bureau.
Incumbent Jason Schmid is seeking the Democratic nomination for the two-year seat. Incumbent Jack Fine is the lone Democratic candidate for the three four-year openings. There are no Republican candidates seeking the office.
Charles Fine is running for the Democratic nomination for mayor of New Eagle.
Monongahela
Two seats are open for city council, with only one incumbent filing for the primary. George “Tom” Caudill is seeking the Democratic nomination for another term on council. William “Rusty” Polonoli is also seeking the nomination.
Fallowfield Township
There are two open seats for Fallowfield Township supervisor. Ronald Large is the only Democrat seeking the party nomination. Seeking the Republican nominations are incumbent Wilbur Caldwell Jr. and John “Eric” Mraz.