Magretti Hamilton to face staffer Pecarchik in bid for 2nd term as Register of Wills

Sherry Magretti Hamilton, Westmoreland County’s incumbent Register of Wills, defeated a former office deputy Tuesday in the Republican primary and will face a current staffer this fall in her bid for a second term in office.

Hamilton, 42, a lawyer who previously served as a Hempfield supervisor, won the GOP primary by a 2,000-vote margin over Kimberly Horrell. According to unofficial results, Hamilton received 54% of the vote to Horrell’s 45%.

Hamilton’s opponent in November’s general election will be Democrat Katie Pecarchik, 51, of Hempfield. Pecarchik has worked in the register’s office for 16 years. She easily defeated legal assistant Susan Vosefski in the Democratic primary. According to unofficial results, Pecarchik received more than 63% of the vote to Vosefski’s 36%.

The Register of Wills oversees all estate records, wills, adoption filings and is the administrator for the issuance of marriage licenses.