It remains to be seen if two write-in candidates will have an impact on the race for Clarion County commissioner but, as of Election Night, incumbent Republicans Wayne Brosius and Ted Tharan and newcomer Democrat Braxton White are the apparent winners. Democrat Daniel Carey failed to garner enough votes to earn a seat on the three-person board.
Brosius led the polling, with 5,788 votes. Tharan received 4,854 votes, White 2,625 and Cary 1,495. There were 1,117 write-in votes cast.
There were two write-in candidates for commissioner, Andy Montana, an Independent, and Republican Brenda Schmader. According to election officials, the counting of write-in votes will not begin until Friday.
Republicans swept the row office and will maintain control of the courthouse.
Several county row officers were unopposed in the general election. Incumbent Republican District Attorney Drew Welsh, incumbent Republican Prothonotary Jeff Himes and incumbent Republican Treasurer Karyn Montana won four-year terms. Republican Rebekah Weckerly was elected as the new register and recorder. She replaced Greg Mortimer, who did not seek another term.
The three county auditors also were unopposed.
One of the few contested school board races was in the Keystone School District.
In that district’s Region III, Abigail Simcheck was unopposed.
In Region II, Ken Swartfager (432 votes) and Eric Weiser (297 votes) were elected. James Beary had 207 votes.
In Region I, Dustin Swartfager, 270 votes, and Jason McMillen, 293 votes, were elected.
Rodney L. Sherman received 193 votes.
Election results are not official until verified by the county’s election board.