Padora, Hetherington win Republican nominations for Schuylkill County commissioner

May 17—POTTSVILLE — Tamaqua businessman Larry Padora and Schuylkill County Commissioner Barron L. "Boots" Hetherington are the Republican Party nominees for county commissioner on the November ballot, according to unofficial results tabulated by the Schuylkill County Election Bureau.

Padora was the top vote getter with 5,861, followed by Hetherington's 5,210 with all 125 precincts reporting, according to the bureau's website.

Padora and Hetherington will go up against the Democratic party nominees, Gary J. Hess and Rita Anczarski Baldino in the Nov. 7 general election. The top three vote getters among them will comprise the new board of commissioners come January

Incumbent Republican commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. was soundly defeated, finishing next to last among eight Republicans seeking the nomination. Halcovage, a commissioner since 2012, was embroiled in controversy surrounding a federal suit alleging sexual improprieties filed by four female courthouse employees in 2021. He could not be reached for comment.

Unofficial returns showed Mary Jo Moss in third place with 4,534 votes. Maria T. Casey, the current clerk of courts, garnered 3,751 votes.

The rest of the Republicans seeking the nomination for county commissioner are Jeffrey J. Dunkel, 2,819; Dan Evans, 2,674; George F. Halcovage Jr., 2,545, and Ray Jones, 2,001. There were 90 write-in votes.

In a historic campaign, eight Republicans were competing for two nominations for the office in the Nov. 7 election.

Despite numerous political signs posted across the county, voter turnout was low, according to officials. It could have been a factor in the outcome, said Howard "Howie" Merrick, Republican party chairman.

Exactly who benefited, he said, is a more difficult question to answer.

"I think the really faithful Republicans are the ones that showed up to vote," Merrick, said. "They're the ones who have a real interest in the outcome of the race."

Contacted after the second update of the returns, Padora was confident he would be one of the two candidates on the Republican ticket. However, he acknowledged the will of the voters.

"Until all the votes are counted," he said, "you don't know for sure."

Hetherington, who chairs the county commissioners, was appreciative of the support he received. He was appointed to the board after the death of Commissioner Frank Staudenmeier in 2020.

Casey, 59, who finished fourth, was also feeling optimistic when contacted before the polls closed.

The current clerk of courts, Casey is not seeking reelection to that seat.

Though having garnered the fewest votes, Jones said he was feeling "fair" when told of the second update numbers. He plans to run again for commissioner.

"They haven't heard the last of me," Jones said.

The Halcovage saga

In a historic primary, 14 Republicans originally expressed interest in seeking the two nominations for commissioner. That narrowed to eight, still the largest field in anyone's memory.

The campaign played out against the background of a federal suit alleging Halcovage engaged in sexual improprieties and created a hostile work environment in the courthouse. The suit was filed by four unnamed female courthouse employees in March 2021.

While the suit has never gone to trial and is apparently destined for mediation, Republican lawmakers sought to have Halcovage impeached by the state House of Representatives in an effort to block him from running for reelection.

The impeachment process appears stalled in a subcommittee of the House Justice Committee, which is investigating the charges.

Halcovage has steadfastly maintained his innocence.

Meanwhile, at least two political action committees — one in Camp Hill, the other in Illinois — have waged a mailing campaign depicting Halcovage as unelectable.

Whatever the outcome, Merrick acknowledges the campaign has been divisive to the party.

His priority following the primary, he said, will be to work on bringing about unity for the November election.

Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007