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The Candidate Pool for the Spring Election
Posted 4-7-2003
Well, the petitions have been filed, and the drop-out date has come and
gone. So, the field is set for the 2003 county elections. Surprisingly, the
field for the offices is rather small. Either there is a level of
satisfaction with the people in the jobs, or a lack of interest in competing
for these elected public offices.
Perhaps, the most surprising
small field is the race for common pleas court judge. Other than in 1995
when John Driscoll had already been appointed judge, and he faced opposition
only from candidate Jack Manderino, I don't think I can ever remember such a
small field for a judge's race in Westmoreland County. This year endorsed
Democrat, and highly successful, trial lawyer Chris Feliciani will face
Republican Michele Bononi, a candidate from the 1999 election that saw Al
Bell and Tony Marsili win judgeships.
In the Commissioners' race,
Tom Ceraso and I were pleasantly surprised at the field of Democratic
challengers. One is a retired county employee who appears to have an ax to
grind with the Director of Westmoreland Manor. Beyond that, there appears to
be no other reason the person is seeking office. The other is a candidate
that has run for a number of offices including township supervisor, county
commissioner, and state representative and come up a loser every time. The
last time we ran, this candidate came in last in the Republican primary.
So while I never take
anything for granted and will run an active campaign, I'm confident Tom
Ceraso and I will prevail. Name recognition, organization, experience, and
plain, old political viability should carry us through the primary election.
On the Republican side, the
field has settled into a four-person race. Former Commissioner Terry Marolt,
former Democratic State Senator Eugene Porterfield, former Republican Party
solicitor Harry Smail, and a college student from the northern end of the
county make up the field. I thought the decision of current commissioner
Scott Conner not to seek re-election may have brought out more candidates in
the Republican primary, but that simply wasn't the case.
In the other races, the
Republican Party didn't even field candidates. Their chairwoman was quoted
as saying the row offices are "unimportant". A strange thing to say by
someone that should understand that every one of those offices has
significant responsibilities.
Carmen Pedicone should win
the controller's position, an open seat with the announced retirement of
Jeff Pavetti. Carmen is a Jeannette City Councilman and has thirty years
experience with the Department of Revenue. He has a primary election
opponent, although it is questionable of how much of a challenge the race
will be.
Sheriff Chris Scherer also
has an opponent, as does Recorder of Deeds Tom Murphy. Treasurer Kathalyn
O'Brien and Register of Wills Earl Keim do not. How hotly contested any of
the races will be remains to be seen. I'm not even sure why the sheriff's
opponent is running. Harry Smail (no relation to the Harry Smail running for
commissioner) has run for a variety of offices with little success. The
sheriff is highly popular, well organized, and likely to have little
trouble.
What this composition of
candidates and races will do to voter turnout this spring remains to be
seen. Traditionally, turnout for municipal elections is usually in the 35%
range. If there are school board, or local races that pique voters'
interest, turnout could be higher in certain places.
With the war that possibly
could still be going, it is hard to tell how focused the electorate will be.
Either patriotic feelings will encourage voters to do their civic duty, or
they will be distracted and not participate. Either way, we have an election
going on and I fully intend on working to educate voters on the importance
of managing a county with a $290 million budget. The electorate should know
the qualification and accomplishments of the candidates, so they can make an
informed decision on who can best serve them. |
