Let Your Voice Be Heard: May Primary Election is Today

The May primary election is today. Do you know who your candidates are?

Your vote will determine who advances to the general election held in the fall.

While it’s not a presidential election year—when voters are most likely to turn out—there are plenty of reasons to exercise your right to vote.

Local elections are of particular importance. These candidates are the people who will represent you when it comes to determining tax rates, drafting new ordinances and reviewing the businesses that enter the community.

Pine Township

Incumbents Michael J. Dennehy, Jr., who is board chairman, and Edward Holdcroft are once again running for two open four-year seats on the Pine Township Board of Supervisors. Both are running on the Republican ticket.

Because there are no Democratic contenders, Dennehy and Holdcroft, barring a write-in campaign, should automatic victory in the fall general election.

Richland Township

Incumbent John Marshall is the only candidate running on the Republican ticket for voting district III and IV in Richland Township. Barring a write-in campaign, he should face off against Robert Pavlecic, the only Democratic contender, in the general election. 

In voting district V and VI, incumbent Barton Miller, a Republican, is running unopposed for another four-year term. 

Pine-Richland School Board

Incumbent school board members Stephan Hawbaker, who has served on the board since 2001, and Dr. Jeffrey Banyas, elected in 2009, will not to run again in 2013.

Both of their four-year terms expire later this year.

Election records show no one had filed a ballot in the primary election to run for Hawbaker’s position representing Region 3 in Richland Township.

Banyas’ seat is one of two up for grabs to represent Region 2 in Pine and Richland townships.

While incumbent Dennis Sundo has cross-filed on the Republican and Democratic ticket seeking re-election to the Region 2 seat representing Pine, no one has filed a petition in the spring primary to run for Baynas’ seat on the board, according to election records.

Because no candidates filed paperwork to run for these two open seats, a person could get on the November ballot with a write-in campaign.

A write-in candidate needs only 10 votes to appear on the ballot in the general election.

If there are no write-in candidates for the open seats in the general election, the school board may appoint replacements.

In Region 1 representing Pine Township, incumbent Katie Shogan, who was appointed to the board last May to replace Director Richard Herko, has cross-filed on both Republican and Democratic ballot for the four-year term.

She’ll face off in the primary election against newcomer Gregory DiTullio, who filed to run on the Republican ticket only.

Because she cross-filed, Shogan would still move on to the general election in November on the Democratic ticket if DiTullio wins the Republican nomination in the primary election.

However, if Shogan wins the Republican nomination in the spring primary, DiTullio would be out of the race. Shogun would then move on to the general election unopposed, barring a write-in campaign.

Incumbent Marc Casciani, who filed as a Republican only, is running unopposed for a two-year term representing Region 1 in Pine Township.

Patch will have coverage of the primary throughout the day. Keep checking back with us for election updates and the results from Tuesday’s primary.

Who are you voting for? And why? Tell us in the comment section below.

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