Bridgeville area primary roundup: Montani, Trainor top vote-getters in Chartiers Valley; Bigham wins in Carnegie

Primary election results narrowed down the Chartiers Valley School Board race from nine candidates to six.

The candidates included incumbents Mitch Montani, Herb Ohliger, Megan Sexton and Lisa Trainor; and newcomers Mark Dodson, Mark Fiorilli, Nancy Herzing, Erin Rodgers and Patrick Tardio for four seats on the school board. All candidates had cross-filed for the primary.

On the Democratic ticket, Trainor led the way with 2,793 votes; followed by Sexton’s 2,515, Montani’s 2,482 and Fiorilli’s 2,139, securing those party nominations, according to complete unofficial results from the Allegheny County Elections Department.

On the Republican ticket, Montani was the top vote-getter collecting 1,099 votes; followed by Trainor’s 1,000, Ohliger’s 967 and Dodson’s 938, securing those party nominations, according to election results.

Herzing, Rodgers and Tardio did not earn enough votes on either ballot to run in November.

TribLive reached out to the victors on each party ballot.

“I think the community is tired of the dishonesty, score-settling, lack of accountability and partisan politics that have consumed our district,” Montani said. “People want honest and accountable leadership. Thankfully that showed on Tuesday.”

Said Fiorilli: “The resounding sentiment was that the community does not trust the school board majority. Parents and taxpayers alike want transparency, a clear vision and plan for the future, and someone with skin in the game to ensure accountability. I believe my campaign addressed many of the voters’ concerns and, if elected, I will continue to work towards rebuilding Chartiers Valley.”

Dodson said: “I believe voters responded to my commitment to putting students first, being a good steward of taxpayer dollars, and prioritizing academic achievement through responsible, community-focused decision-making. Voters are looking for leadership that listens, values transparency, and keeps education above politics — and I’m proud to stand for those principles. I look forward to continuing the conversation with the community as we move toward the general election.”

Other contested races

• Sam Bigham, 23, won handily in the Democratic party nomination for Carnegie mayor.

Complete unofficial results showed Bigham with 657 votes compared to David Klug’s 204 votes.

No one sought the Republican nomination for mayor. There were 118 write-in votes cast.

“People are ready and excited for the younger generation to step up to the plate of local government,” Bigham said. “I offered a coherent vision and plan for Carnegie focused on investing in our Main Street and bringing people to our town. I, along with my team, ran a very effective campaign that reached hundreds of residents.”

• In Collier, five people sought three Democratic nominations for commissioner. On the Democratic ticket, Julie Murphy led with 711 votes, followed by incumbent Mary Ann Cupples-Wisniowski with 667 and Tim Downey Jr. with 639, securing the party nominations. Lawrence Mendicino and Ethan Styche did not earn enough votes to be on the ballot in November.

Among Republicans, incumbent Wayne Chiurazzi was the top vote-getter with 454 votes, followed by Mark Lewis with 402, securing Republican party nominations. The third slot indicated 345 write-in votes, while incumbent Karianne Suter received 338 votes and Jason Wylie had 320. It is not yet clear who the write-in votes were cast for. If 339, or more, of those votes were cast for the same person, they would beat out Suter for the third spot on the November ballot for Republicans.

• Six people ran for four seats on the Carlynton School Board. Incumbents LeeAnne O’Brien, Christine Simcic and Susie Puskar cross-filed, as did newcomers Tina Geer and Reece Smith. Brittany Bova only ran in the Democratic primary.

On the Democratic ticket, Puskar led with 955 votes, followed by Bova’s 915, Smith’s 866 and O’Brien’s 856, securing those party nominations, according to election results.

On the Republican ticket, Smith led with 452 votes, followed by Puskar’s 291, Simcic’s 272 and O’Brien’s 266, securing those party nominations, according to election results.

Geer did not earn enough votes on either ticket to be on the ballot for the general election.

Unopposed races

• Eight people — democrats Justine Cimarolli, Nicholas Ciesielski, Joseph Colosimo and Nino Petrocelli Sr; and republicans Bruce Ghelarducci, Joe Verduci, Virginia Bott Schnieder and James Haley — will seek four Bridgeville Council seats in the fall. The primary election was not contested.

• The primary also set up a contested Bridgeville mayoral race in the general election, between Democratic incumbent Betty Copeland and Republican challenger and former mayor Pasquale B. DeBlasio.

• In Carnegie, Phil Boyd ran uncontested in the Democratic race for Ward 1 councilmember; and Keira Cana and Rick D’Loss won uncontested Democratic nominations for two seats as Ward 2 councilmembers.

• In Heidelberg, incumbent Mayor Kenneth LaSota ran unopposed for the Democratic party nomination.

• There were three seats available on Heidelberg council. Incumbent Dorothy McCartney collected 92 votes; there were 97 Democratic and 77 Republican write-in votes cast.

• All commissioner races in Scott were unopposed. Incumbents Samuel Dalfonso and Michelle Sedlak won the Democratic party nods in Ward 4 and 6, respectively; and Donald Giudici won the Republican party nomination in Ward 8. No one was on the ballot in Ward 2. There were 82 Democratic and 39 Republican write-in votes cast in that race.