Democrats pass on endorsements for Westmoreland primary election; GOP likely to follow suit

Westmoreland County Democrats will not endorse candidates in next month’s primary election.

About 150 committee members met over the weekend at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Hempfield and unanimously voted to hold an open primary and forego endorsing candidates seeking countywide offices.

“There are some excellent Democratic candidates running across Westmoreland County, with high energy and a strong interest in connecting with voters,” said Rachel Shaw, chairwoman of the county Democratic Committee.

Democrats have two contested races for offices in the May 21 primary: Two vacant seats for Common Pleas Court judge and Register of Wills.

In the judicial race, six candidates will be on the ballot, including three registered Democrats: attorneys Matt Schimizzi, Michael Stewart II and Jessica Rafferty. Judicial candidates are permitted to cross-file and run in both the Democratic and Republican primaries. So those Democrats along with registered Republicans Justin Walsh, Wayne McGrew and Kyle Baxter, are seeking nominations in both party primaries.

Democrats Katie Pecarchik and Susan Vosefski are seeking the nomination to run as the party’s candidate for Register of Wills.

In the race for county commissioner, Democratic incumbents Gina Cerilli and Ted Kopas are unopposed, as is incumbent Recorder of Deeds Tom Murphy.

Republicans have contested races in all but two countrywide races. As incumbents, Controller Jeffrey Balzer and Treasurer Jared Squires have no opposition this spring.

Seven GOP candidates are seeking two nominations for county commissioner. Three Republican challengers are seeking to oust embattled Sheriff Jonathan Held and incumbent Register of Wills Sherry Magretti Hamilton is being opposed by a former office deputy. Three Republicans are vying for the Recorder of Deeds nomination.

GOP Committee Chairman Kerry Jobe said he’s in the process of surveying the party’s local committees. So far, he said early returns show there is little appetite for Republicans to endorse candidates in the primary. He said he will only schedule a countywide convention if endorsements will be considered.

“We have a lot of candidates who are more aggressive in their tactics right now, and I don’t know if it will go over well to put everyone in the same room,” Jobe said.