Primary election 2023 voters guide: Candidates for Centre County commissioner, judge & more
Centre County Controller
Jason Moser
Party: Dem
Campaign website: friendsofjasonmoser.com
Education: Bachelor’s from Penn State; certificate in public budgeting and financial management
Facebook: Jason Moser for Centre County Controller
Twitter: @JasonMoserCC
Email: info@friendsofjasonmoser.com
Q: Why did you choose to run for this office and what are your qualifications for the job?
A: I am running for reelection because I believe the Controller’s Office is the foundation to county government operations. From vendor payments and payroll to auditing and pensions, we provide the support and expertise that allows every department and office at the county to seamlessly provide the crucial resources and services that county residents rely upon.
Today, we do this well and we’re currently in the midst of an overhaul of the software systems that maintain the county’s general ledger and human resource data to do it better. This is a major undertaking, and something I promised to do in 2019, that will provide better access to county data for residents, increasing accountability and transparency.
Centre County Coroner
Scott A. Sayers
Party: Dem
Education: 1985 Graduate of Bald Eagle Area, attended Lock Haven University, 1988 graduate of Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science
Q: Why did you choose to run for this office and what are your qualifications for the job?
A: With having a background in funeral service, I just felt the need to assist people at the worst times in their life when dealing with loss of a loved one.
I’m in my 26 year as coroner. Achieved Diplomatic status with the American Board on Medicolegal Death Investigators, active member of the Pennsylvania Coroners Association and serves as a regional vice president on the PSCA executive board.
Centre County Prothonotary
Jeremy S. Breon
Party: Dem
Campaign website: friendsofjeremybreon.com
Education: Penn State University, Duke University
Q: Why did you choose to run for this office and what are your qualifications for the job?
A: I am running for reelection as Centre County prothonotary to serve our community. In my second term I want to continue implementing the most cutting edge technology to serve our community now and in the future.
I am a lifelong resident of Centre County and reside on my family farm in Haines Township. With 12 years of experience working in the Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts office, I am prepared to resolve concerns from our community. I hold a degree from Penn State University and a paralegal certificate for Duke University.
For more information please visit my website www.friendsofjeremybreon.com. Please vote May 16, 2023.
Centre County Recorder of Deeds
Joseph L. Davidson
Party: Rep
Campaign Website: votejoedavidson.com
Education: Penn State University - business administration
Facebook: Re-Elect Joe Davidson Centre County Recorder of Deeds
Email: ccrod@comcast.net
Q: Why did you choose to run for this office and what are your qualifications for the job?
A: I have had the honor of serving Centre County as recorder of deeds for nearly 24 years. It has been a privilege to serve Centre County residents and ensure that tax dollars are being used effectively and efficiently. As recorder of deeds, I have modernized the office and improved customer service measures directly benefiting the users of the office, making it easier to access and utilize the services of the office. I am running for reelection to continue to provide this high quality service to the people of Centre County. I will continue to explore new technology, seek out more efficient practices and will never lose sight of the basic function of government: public service.
Robert Zeigler
Party: Dem
Campaign website: zeiglerforpa.com
Education: B.A. in political science, MBA, MPA (Public Administration)
Facebook: Zeigler For A Better Tomorrow
Twitter: @ZeiglerForPA
Email: robert@zeiglerforpa.com
Q: Why did you choose to run for this office and what are your qualifications for the job?
A: The reason I am running for recorder of deeds in Centre County is to better serve my community at a higher level. While leading the Millheim Borough Council, we improved our fiscal flexibility, invested in solar to save taxpayer funds, gotten almost $1.5 million in grant funds for projects and economic development, improved infrastructure, improved transparency, gotten broadband speeds faster than Penn State in the Penns Valley region and cut taxes. I have over 20 years of management and customer service experience with a history of finding solutions to problems. I believe that this office can be a stronger leader in innovation and should be utilized to proactively address affordable housing and blighted properties in the county.
Centre County Register of Wills
Christine Millinder
Party: Rep
Education: High school diploma
Email: christine68.cm@gmail.com
Q: Why did you choose to run for this office and what are your qualifications for the job?
A: I am running for reelection for register of wills and clerk of Orphans’ Court because I enjoy helping people. My 36 years of experience in this office provides me with the qualifications to assist the public and legal professionals with the day to day operations relative the probate and estate administration. As clerk of Orphans’ Court I am responsible for performing the administrative duties for the Court of Common Pleas. This consists of issuing and maintaining marriage licenses, maintaining all guardianship records and adoption cases. I am committed to serve the citizens of Centre County with the knowledge that I have gained with my years of experience.
Centre County Sheriff
Bryan Sampsel
Party: Rep
Education: Bellefonte Area High School, attended Pennsylvania State University in criminal justice, Act 2 PA Sheriff’s Academy at PSU
Facebook: Bryan Sampsel for Centre County Sheriff
Email: blsampsel@yahoo.com
Q: Why did you choose to run for this office and what are your qualifications for the job?
A: As a two-term elected sheriff with over seven years of experience in the role, I am running for reelection to continue serving the people of Centre County. My qualifications include serving as a deputy sheriff and sheriff now for over 20 year and extensive training at the Deputy Sheriff Academy Act 2 among other individual trainings throughout my career.
Throughout my tenure, I have demonstrated a commitment to public safety, providing security for public buildings and participating in community events. I am also involved in initiatives aimed at addressing important issues such as drug abuse, veteran suicide and domestic violence.
I believe that my experience and qualifications make me the best candidate for sheriff of Centre County.
Centre County Treasurer
Justin Behrens
Party: Rep
Campaign website: behrensforcentrecounty.com
Education: MSW Temple University in social work
Facebook: Justin Behrens for Centre County Treasurer
Email: justin@behrensforcentrecounty.com
Q: Why did you choose to run for this office and what are your qualifications for the job?
A: The Centre County Treasurer’s Office is meant to represent all taxpayers, regardless of political affiliation. For the long-term benefit of our community, this office needs a new, committed, full-time public servant to ensure the financial security of our county. As an Iraqi War veteran and former CEO of a successful nonprofit, I understand the complexity of managing budgets while also supporting public needs. As treasurer, I will work tirelessly to be a good steward of your hard-earned money. I will work to maximize the safety, legality and liquidity of county investments to help offset your future tax contributions. I will use my experience to improve county processes such as those used to secure dog and hunting licenses.
Colleen Kennedy
Party: Dem
Education: B.A. in music, UCLA; Master of Education (M.Ed.), UCLA; accounting, Cal State Los Angeles
Facebook: Colleen Kennedy for Centre County Treasurer
Email: info@kennedyforcentre.com
Q: Why did you choose to run for this office and what are your qualifications for the job?
A: I have been an accounting professional for almost 20 years, and I greatly appreciate that in 2019 the Centre County community entrusted me to serve as treasurer.
During my tenure, I implemented online dog licensing and introduced credit card and eCheck payments. Also, with improved technology, I am in continual contact with my office.
I facilitated moving the employees’ retirement fund to a different institution, saving the county hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual fees. And as interest rates rose, I moved county investments into safe, higher-yield instruments, which increased interest earnings by nearly 600%.
There is always more to be done, and I look forward to the opportunity to expand on these improvements further.
Centre County Commissioner
Amber Cistaro Concepcion
Party: Dem
Campaign website: amberconcepcion.com
Education: State College Area High School alum, B.A. political science, Penn State University, 2001, M.A. government, Georgetown University, 2007
Facebook: Amber Concepcion, Centre County Commissioner
Email: aconcepcion@centrecountypa.gov
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: My priorities include: excellence in providing human services to our citizens, strong public safety and emergency management across the county, and supporting small businesses/farms to revitalize local communities. I will work to strengthen the mental health services provided in our county, and ensure that mental and behavioral health care continues to be provided for returning citizens in our corrections facility. I will prioritize working with municipal partners to ensure strong emergency services across the county, including pursuing grant funding in this area. As a small business owner, I know how important collaborative local economic development is. I will work on economic development and revitalization efforts, including partnerships with nonprofit organizations in our communities, to support entrepreneurs, small businesses and farms in our county. Prudent and frugal long-term financial planning is key to the county achieving its most important goals within our financial means.
Steven Dershem
Party: Rep
Education: Graduate Bellefonte Area High School and B.A. labor studies Penn State University
Facebook: Steve Dershem Commissioner
Email: votedershem@hotmail.com
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: The greatest challenge that any county commissioner will face is effectively managing the financial health of county government. The prudent day to day fiscal management of programs and being able to make tough funding choices are essential to the continued health of county government. Making those tough calls have enabled me to pass 13 budgets in a row without a tax increase. I am proud of our county team and our administrators for working together so well for the taxpayers of Centre County. I look forward to our continued success.
Increased broadband access in the underserved regions of Centre County is a crucial component for schools, residents and businesses to be successful in our digital age. Leveraging federal infrastructure dollars and working with willing internet providers will be crucial.
The completion of the Centre Crest transformation to a human services complex will also be a priority of the next board.
Mark Higgins
Party: Dem
Campaign website: friendsofmarkhiggins.com
Education: 2014 graduate of Leadership Centre County. Graduate of Michigan State University with majors in marketing, general business and personnel
Facebook: Mark Higgins - Centre County Commissioner
Twitter: @CCMarkHiggins
Email: mark@centrecountypa.gov
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: I will work hard to continue improving the quality of life throughout all of Centre County. We have reduced the number of Centre County residents in the county correctional facility by 50% over the last 10 years and will add another specialty court and more services. Centre County government will make significant investments in human services including mental health, libraries, homelessness and housing people can afford. My team will engage with over 100 nonprofits in their efforts to make Centre County a better place.
I have reduced the cost to run Centre County government by many millions of dollars over the last eight years. We have not increased Centre County government property taxes in 13 years and I will continue to find additional savings inside county government that will allow us to increase services.
I distributed over $10,500,000 in funding to support small businesses and will continue to support them.
Marie Librizzi
Party: Rep
Campaign website: marie2023.com
Education: College
Facebook: Marie2023
Email: oldmainart@aol.com
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: Ensuring prosperity and opportunities for future generations are my driving factors to run for public office. I will solve our county’s rural broadband issue once and for all. If there are electric lines, there will be broadband lines. No exceptions. No excuses. I have already started building relationships and conducting research to make this happen. This is not a funding issue — there are more than enough state and federal funds to make this happen. This is a leadership issue. Our rural residents deserve a commissioner who can effectively manage this initiative and won’t stop until all of our homes and businesses have access to the digital infrastructure they deserve. Additionally, I will vote to repeal the vehicle registration tax. Centre County does not own any roads or bridges — it’s that simple. Finally, I will manage county funds — your taxpayer dollars — with sincere responsibility and transparent accountability.
Centre County Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
Gopal Balachandran
Party: Rep, Dem
Campaign website: gopalforjudge.com
Education: B.S. UNC-Chapel Hill; M.A. University of Chicago; J.D., with honors, George Washington University
Facebook: Gopal For Judge
Twitter: @GopalForJudge
Email: gopal@gopalforjudge.com
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: I am running because I believe Centre County residents deserve a more balanced bench with at least one judge who has a comprehensive background in criminal law. As a former public defender, I have worked in all phases of the criminal process — trials, appeals and post-conviction cases — over a span of nearly 20 years. I also have significant experience working with individuals battling addiction, poverty and mental health issues.
My first priority would be to ensure fairness and equality for all, by properly balancing public safety with the rehabilitative needs of our fellow residents.
My second priority is to make sure our problem-solving courts work to their full potential in reaching the maximum number of people needing this help.
Finally, having handled a heavy felony case-load, I recognize the administrative issues that cause delay. My goal would be to make sure cases run smoothly and efficiently through the court.
Julia Rater
Party: Rep, Dem
Campaign website: Juliaforjudge.com
Education: The Dickinson School of Law, J.D. 1995 (Order of the Barristers); St. Vincent College, B.S. 1992 (highest honors)
Facebook: Julia For Judge
Email: julia@juliaforjudge.com
Q: If elected, what will be your top three priorities, and how will you address them?
A: As judge, above all, I want everyone to know their case will be treated with importance. I will listen attentively and patiently to the evidence. I will decide the matter based on the unique facts of the case and the written law. Second, I want people to be respected. I will treat all people kindly, fairly and equitably, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual preference, wealth or disability. Third, I want the parties to receive a resolution within a reasonable amount of time. I know from experience, with clients involved in many different types of matters, that the wait is hard — sometimes excruciating. I will be decisive and efficient in rendering decisions. I will use my mediation and collaborative law background to move cases to completion, as resolving matters by agreement saves time, can eliminate criminal records and opens the courtroom to those who need a decision by a judge.
Magisterial District Judge District 49-03-03
Allen W. Sinclair
Party: Dem, Rep
Did not respond
Magisterial District Judge District 49-02-01
Casey McClain
Party: Rep, Dem
Did not respond
