May primary takes shape as Dems, GOP field candidates for Bucks County, municipal offices
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Political campaigning will begin in earnest this week as Tuesday marked the filing deadline for candidates wanting to run for office in the May 16 Pennsylvania Primary Election.
Bucks County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Wallace Batemen on Wednesday appointed three judges to serve as the county Board of Elections since all three county commissioners are up for re-election and therefore cannot serve these roles this year. The three judges are Charissa J. Liller, Jordan B. Yeager and Stephen A. Corr.
Looking for General Election info for the Nov. 7 races? Check out coverage here:
Live Election Coverage: From school boards to county commissioners, it's Election Day in Bucks County
More: What's at stake in Bucks County Commissioners race? Here's what the candidates say
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More: Republicans outnumber other voters in Central Bucks, Pennridge ahead of election
2023 Primary results in Bucks County Polls in PA primary are closed. Bucks County begins to count votes; results to come
Bucks County GOP wants to retake commissioners' majority
The Bucks County Republican Committee announced its slate for county offices. Bucks GOP Chairwoman Pat Poprik said she still didn't have the full count of candidates for municipal and school district elections because the Board of Elections was still processing the applications for those who have filed nomination petitions.
But the GOP endorsed candidates for county commissioner are incumbent Gene DiGirolamo of Bensalem and Pamela Van Blunk of Doylestown Township. Van Blunk currently serves as county controller.
District Attorney Matthew Weintraub is running on the Republican ballot as a judge for the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas. There is one vacancy and one retention election for the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas this year, according to the Department of State. Weintraub is running for the seat of Senior Judge Diane Gibbons who retired last year. Judge C. Theodore Fritsch Jr. is running for retention.
The county Republicans also are endorsing Sherry Labs of Plumstead as Treasurer; Robyn Goodnoe of Richland Township as Register of Wills; Jeff Hall-Gale of Lower Makefield as Clerk of Courts; and Charles Stockert of Hilltown as Coroner.
Former Commissioner Andy Warren of Middletown is also running for a seat on the governing body and will challenge DiGirolamo and Van Blunk in May for a spot on the November ballot.
More: Bucks County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo announces reelection campaign
More: Bucks County Controller Pamela Van Blunk announces board of commissioners campaign
More: District Attorney Matt Weintraub to run for Bucks County judge
More: Former Bucks County Commissioner Andy Warren announces election bid to return to office
Bucks County Democrats ready to retain government control
The Bucks Democrats are endorsing incumbent County Commissioner Chairman Bob Harvie and incumbent Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia for re-election. They also are endorsing Eileen Albillar for Clerk of Courts; incumbent Kris Ballerini for Treasurer; incumbent Linda Bobrin for Register of Wills and Patti Campi for Coroner.
The party did not endorse incumbent coroner Meredith Buck, who has challenged the current administration on funding and other issues during her first term. Buck, however, is seeking re-election and will face a primary challenge by Campi.
More: Bucks County coroner: Commissioners' $1 million cut to office violated Sunshine law
More: Bucks County Democrats announce reelection bids of Commissioners Harvie, Marseglia
Municipal and school board seats also on Bucks County ballots
Many municipal and school board seats are also up for election this year. Petitions for these candidates are still being processed by the Board of Elections. Objections to the petitions can be filed until March 14 and candidates have until March 22 to withdraw their filing petition to run for office.
Several Pennsylvania judicial seats up for election
In statewide judicial races, the Democrats also endorsed Dan McCaffery for state Supreme Court, Jill Beck and Timika Lane for Superior Court; but left the field for Commonwealth Court open since no candidate reached the threshold for endorsement.
The Republican State Committee recommended Judge Carolyn Carluccio for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Judge Harry Smail Jr. and Maria Battista for state Superior Court, and Megan Martin for Commonwealth Court. Candidates for statewide office were endorsed at a meeting of the Republican State Committee in early February.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Democrats, GOP announce endorsed candidates for Bucks County primary election
