GOP endorses incumbents for Westmoreland row officer seats

Westmoreland Republicans this weekend endorsed five incumbent row officers and a newly appointed judge in advance of the May 20 primary election.

Two of those incumbents, Register of Wills Jon Wian and Coroner Tim Carson, face nomination challengers this spring. Wian was appointed in February serve in the role until year’s end after Republican Sherry Magretti Hamilton resigned in September.

Wian is facing former acting Register of Wills Katie Pecarchik and former deputy Kim Horrell.

Pecarchik, a former office clerk who retired and was rehired by a court-appointed conservator after Hamilton was removed from power, headed the register of wills office for about five months before Wian’s appointment.

Horrell did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Wian, the former chief of staff to Republican Commissioner Sean Kertes, previously served as vice chairman of the county GOP committee.

“I am honored to receive the support of the Westmoreland County Republican Committee and looking forward to be on the slate with the rest of the incumbent row officers,” Wian said Monday.

Pecarchik, who switched from Democrat to Republican last year, said she was disappointed by the committee’s decision.

“I will make my case straight to the people that I am the one candidate with experience and I am the one who turned that office around,” Pecarchik said.

Carson, a former Democrat, switched parties and ran as a Republican when he defeated longtime Democratic Coroner Ken Bacha in 2021. His opponent, John Ackerman, served as a deputy under Bacha and briefly under Carson before retiring in early 2022.

District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli, Clerk of Courts Megan Loughner and Prothonotary Gina O’Barto are unopposed in the May primary.

Common Pleas Court Judge Matt Schimizzi, who was appointed to the county bench last month, also is unopposed in the Republican and Democratic primaries and was endorsed by the Republican committee. Schimizzi was a registered Democrat when he unsuccessfully ran for judge in 2019.

“What happened Saturday is a clear sign that we fully support the six incumbent candidates that are currently serving the residents of this great county with rigor and dedication,” said Westmoreland County Republican Committee Chairman Bill Bretz.

Bretz said the committee’s endorsement votes were unanimous.

“Our region has repeatedly expressed that they expect government to run efficiently, without unnecessary bureaucracy and with a constant eye on fiscal responsibility. These candidates not only understand these concepts, they’re committed to them.”

No Democrats will appear on the May primary ballot for the row office seats.