Write-in votes could be key in several Fox Chapel area races

The May 16 primary election results are in for Fox Chapel area’s municipal and school board races, with 100% of precincts reporting, according to Allegheny County’s unofficial election results.

But some results could be upended once write-in votes are counted, which had not yet been done when this edition went to press.

The Primary Election results are unofficial until certified by the Allegheny County Board of Elections.

Aspinwall

Aspinwall Council President Timothy P. McLaughlin and candidates Terry Nelson Taylor and Sharon Donnick all appear to have earned Republican nods for three, four-year council seats.

But with 144 GOP write-in votes cast, there’s the potential for the results to bump Donnick, who finished third, off the ballot.

Republicans will face off against Democratic challengers Mark Chimel II and incumbents Heth R. Turnquist and Patti McCaffrey, who edged out Louis Curcio Jr. and David C. Brown in a five-candidate race for three Democratic nominations.

Blawnox

Blawnox incumbents Kathryn Specht-Coban and Elaine Palmer and candidate John D. Simmons Jr. edged out candidate Charles P. Stipetich for the Democratic nomination for three four-year council seats.

Their Republican challengers, if any, have yet to be determined. There were no declared candidates on the Republican ballot. However, 20 write-in votes were cast.

Fox Chapel

Fox Chapel Council’s November match-up may not be fully determined for a few weeks.

Incumbents Betsy Monroe and Frederick C. Leech were the only two candidates seeking Democratic nods in the May 16 primary for three, four-year seats.

However, 298 write-in votes were cast. The top vote-getter in that group could be the third name on the Democratic ballot. A person needs a minimum of 10 write-in votes to get on a ballot.

Michael D. Pohl was the only candidate seeking a Republican nomination for the three available council seats.

There were 240 write-in votes, which could produce the second and third names on the Republican ticket.

Indiana Township

Indiana Township incumbent Darrin Krally fended off challenger Brandice Miller for the Republican nod for District 3 supervisor.

Krally is the township’s mayor. He will oppose Democratic challenger Emily S. Cook, the only candidate on that party’s primary ballot, for a four-year seat in November.

Incumbent Paul Jorgensen earned the Republican nod for District 1 supervisor. He will face Democrat Kara Novdradac for a four-year seat in November.

Incumbent Albert Kaan earned the Republican nod in District 2 for a four-year seat. He will face Democrat Nettie Owens in November.

In District 4, Democratic incumbent Sarah Hertweck earned her party’s nomination. Hertweck will go against Republican challenger Luke Rayman for a four-year seat in November.

O’Hara Township

O’Hara Township Democrat Paul L. Cullen may have to wait a few weeks to see who his fellow Democrat will be in the November contest for two, four-year council seats. Cullen was the only Democratic candidate on the primary ballot, but there were 166 write-ins cast.

W. Robert Strohm Jr. and Shamus Petrucelli ran unopposed for Republican nods for the two council seats.

Sharpsburg

Sharpsburg Council incumbents Sarah Ishman and Jonathan Jaso and candidate Kacie Cope earned Democratic nods for three four-year seats. Their opponents remain unclear as no Republicans were on the primary ballot. However, 40 write-in votes were cast.

Candidates for another Sharpsburg Council seat are also undetermined. There were no declared candidates on either party’s primary ballot, but there were 215 Democrat write-ins and 35 Republican write-ins for that seat.

Fox Chapel Area School Board

Fox Chapel Area School Board Vice President Ronald P. Frank and incumbent Vanessa Lynch earned nominations on both the GOP and Democratic ballots to run in November for two, four-year seats in Region 1.

School board candidates are allowed to cross-file on both the Republican and Democratic ballots in the primary because school board races are nonpartisan.

Board president Marybeth Dadd also earned GOP and Democratic nominations to run for a four-year seat in Region 3.

Incumbent Eric Hamilton may be the lone Republican candidate running in November in Region 1, where two school board seats are up for grabs. He was the lone declared candidate in the GOP primary, and only eight write-in votes were cast.

Hamilton also cross-filed on the Democratic ballot and will join incumbent Catherine Findley to run as a Democrat for two seats in Region 1.