No surprises in primary election results

There were no surprises in the May 18 primary election due more to a lack of contests than candidate qualifications.

All results are unofficial at press time and do not include write-in totals.

Incumbent District Judge Timothy P. Schill picked up both the Democrat and Republican party nominations on his way to the fall election and he was unopposed on both ballots.

Shawn Zerfoss won the Republican nomination for Clarion County sheriff. He was unopposed on the GOP ballot and there was no declared Democrat seeking the office.

Incumbent Daniel Shingledecker won the Republican nomination for Clarion County coroner. He was unopposed on the GOP ballot and there was no declared Democrat seeking the office.

Incumbent Clarion County Treasurer Karyn Montana defeated a challenge from political newcomer Kyle McConnell for the Republican nomination 3,043 to 1,856.

There was no declared Democratic Party candidate.

Ballot questions

Clarion County voters approved three of four ballot questions three constitutional amendments and one referendum question.

The first amendment question passed in Clarion County by a 4,808 to 1,954 margin. The second amendment question passed in Clarion County by a 4,947 to 1,846 margin.

Both amendments would limit a governor’s ability to declare a statewide emergency and limit the governor’s ability to renew such declarations.

The third amendment aimed at outlawing discrimination based on race or ethnicity as defeated in Clarion County by a 3,322 to 3,426 margin.

Finally, a referendum question allowing expanded eligibility for fire departments and EMS loans was approved in Clarion County by a 3,752 to 3,007 margin.

Municipal contests

While there were not many contested races at the borough and township levels, there were a few, including:

Kirk Jacobson (149), Cassie Schwalm (160), Krista Geelen (138), and Rachel Roberts (165) all won Democratic Party nominations for Clarion Borough Council, edging out Pete Bauer (98).

Shane C. Kriebel (212), Braxton A. White (320), John P. Troese (235), and Julie McCormick (263) won Democrat Party nominations to the Clarion Area School Board, edging out Zachary Shekel (146).

Hannah Allison (76) defeated Gary L. Sproul (30) for the Democratic Party nomination for Clarion-Limestone School Board Region I.

Darrin Bain edged Mitchell Blose 39-37 for the Democratic Party nomination for the Redbank Valley School Board Region II.

Linda J. Ferringer (37) and Clay Kennemuth (22) won Democratic Party nominations for Redbank Valley School Board Region III, defeating Heidi L Byers (20) and Carrie L. Adams (18).

Chuck Weaver (160) defeated Adam Courson (69) for the Republican nomination for a two-year term as supervisor in Ashland Township.

Sheila Alcorn (228) won the GOP nomination for Clarion Township tax collector over Patti West (144) and Kristine Lewis (66).

Anita Lahr defeated Deborah E. Keister 171-119 for the GOP nomination for tax collector in Elk Township.

Sheila Rex (186) defeated Louise Strotman (79) for the position of Republican inspector of elections in Elk Township.

Richard L. Cochran defeated Michael Wise for the Republican nomination for Knox Borough mayor, 100-42.

Susan Y. Carnathan (108) defeated Linda Drayer (42) for the position of Madison Township Republican judge of elections.

Danyelle Hiles (93) defeated Carol L. Hagofsky (47) for the position of Republican inspector of elections in Madison Township.

Donald A Wensel (33) defeated Roger Courson (13) for the GOP nomination for Piney Township supervisor.

R. Scott Sheffer (105) defeated Pam Smith (42) for Salem Township Republican inspector of elections.

Gary L. Sproul (244) edged out Hannah Allison (126) and Timothy E. Keighley (57) for the Republican nomination for Clarion-Limestone School Board Region I.

Kathy Henry (249) won the GOP nomination for Clarion-Limestone School Board Region II over Christopher Boozer (240) and David Louder (207).

Bryan D. Huwar won the GOP nomination for Clarion-Limestone School Board Region III over Roger G. Powell (19).

Mitchell Blose (244) won the GOP nomination for Redbank Valley School Board Region II over Darrin Bain (192).

John Kimmel (200) and Heidi L. Byers (176) won GOP nominations for Redbank Valley School Board Region III over Linda J. Ferringer (169), Clay Kennemuth (113), and Carrie L. Adams (47).