Don White’s former seat in the Pennsylvania Senate will be filled by his former Chief of Staff, after Republican Joe Pittman defeated Democrat Susan Boser yesterday in a special election for the 41st Senate District.
Voters across the district and in Indiana County opted for Pittman by a 66% to 34% margin. Senate 41 covers all of Indiana and Armstrong counties, and portions of Butler and Westmoreland counties. Pittman will serve the remainder of White’s term, which expires at the end of next year. That means the race will be up for grabs in the 2020 election cycle.
Pittman says one of his first priorities after he’s sworn in will be the upcoming 2019-20 state budget.
–Senator-elect Joe Pittman (R-Indiana/Armstrong)
The Indiana County Commissioners race was another closely-watched race last night. Five Republicans were vying for the two open seats, with former Rayne Township Supervisor Mike Keith and Robin Gorman, Executive Assistant to the President of IUP, prevailing. Bob Colgan took third, followed by Maria Jack and Daniel Wilson. Incumbent Commissioner Sherene Hess and Donald Lancaster were the only two candidates for the Democrats.
Mike Keith said he is ready to work with Robin Gorman to retain Republican control of the commissioners.
–Mike Keith (R-Candidate for Commissioner)
Robin Gorman said that she is excited about the upcoming campaign.
–Robin Gorman (R-Candidate for Commissioner)
Indiana County’s voter turnout yesterday was low, with only 29.04% voter turnout throughout the county. Overall, 14,366 ballots were cast.
Other county races of interest:
- Longtime Sheriff Bob Fyock will run against former Homer City Police Chief Lou Sacco for the sheriff’s post in November.
- Donna Cupp, Bonni Dunlap, and James Smith, Jr. won the nominations for the three County Auditor seats.
- Democrat Patrick Dougherty and Republican Bob Manzi both ran unopposed for the District Attorney in their respective parties,and will face off against each other in November.
There were a lot of local races to keep an eye on as well, especially the Center Township Supervisor race.
Matthew Housholder won the Democratic nomination for Center Township Supervisor, winning with 265 votes. Second place was David Dies with 141. Third place was incumbent supervisor John Bertolino with 88 votes, and fourth was Tony Peroli with 78 votes. Carl George was the only Republican candidate.
For the Homer Center School District, only five names will be on the ballot for the election, as these five won both the democratic and Republican nominations: Daniel Fabin, Joe Iezzi, Jr., Christa Pontani-Palmer, Gerald Bertig, and Michael Schmidt.
Meanwhile, there will be six on the ballot for the Indiana School Board in the fall. Almost all the candidates cross-filed in that race, and of those who cross-filed, Tammie Blank, Cinda Brode, Tamara Leeper and Walter Schroth received nominations from both parties. Terry Kerr received the republican nomination and he will be joined by Democratic nominee Jessica Smith.
In the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District, Beverly Caranese ran unopposed, as did Molly Stiles. Tony Canzano and Mary Whitfield won their region, as voters were asked to pick two candidates. Each candidate cross-filed so they will be the only ones on the ballot come November.
To take a look at the unofficial results, click here.
All results are unofficial until the county certifies the results, and that includes tabulating all write-in votes.
