LOCAL

2019 municipal election: Here are the Franklin County candidates seeking election Nov. 5

Amber South
Chambersburg Public Opinion

In just over three weeks, people in Franklin County and around Pennsylvania will head to the polls to vote on who they want to fill county and municipal offices. 

The municipal general election is on Nov. 5. Polling places are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

There are only three contested races that every voter in the county will see on their ballot: Judge of the Superior Court, Franklin County Commissioners, and Register and Recorder. For many voters around the county, these will be the only true races to vote in. 

A file photo of a "vote here" sign used in a past election.

County-wide races

In the commissioner race, long-time incumbents Bob Ziobrowski, a Democrat, and David S. Keller, a Republican, are being challenged by Republican John Flannery and Democrat Sheri Morgan. 

Each voter may choose two candidates.

In addition, current commissioner Bob Thomas is running a write-in campaign in hopes of winning a seventh term. His name will not appear on the ballot for the first time in a quarter of a century, as he came in third place in the Republican primary. 

The top three vote-getters will win a seat on the board that acts as the county's chief governing body. 

More:Flannery 'relieved' after primary win, while Thomas comes to terms with unexpected loss

In the race for Register and Recorder, Democrat Damien Buhrman will try to unseat Republican Linda Miller. The official is responsible for registering, recording and filing all land records/deeds/mortgages, probating estates and collecting realty transfer tax, among other things. 

There are multiple races for county offices that are not contested:  

  • Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 39th Judicial District: Mary Beth Shank, Democrat/Republican
  • Clerk of Courts: Todd Rock, Republican
  • Controller: Harold Wissinger, Republican
  • Coroner: Jeff Conner, Democrat/Republican
  • District Attorney: Matt Fogal, Republican
  • Prothonotary: Timothy S. Sponseller, Republican
  • Sheriff: Dane Anthony, Democrat/Republican

All voters will also have the opportunity to vote on the retention of county and state judges, including Court of Common Pleas judges Angela Krom and Shawn Meyers. Judges must seek retention every 10 years, unless they choose to leave the position. 

Technically a state-wide race, the candidates for Judge of the Superior Court are: Democrats Amanda Green-Hawkins and Daniel D. McCaffery, and Republicans Megan McCarthy King and Christylee Peck. 

Borough, township and school board races

Less than half of the county's 22 municipalities have a contested race for office this election season. 

Incumbent candidates are identified by a *. 

Chambersburg Borough Council

  • Ward 1: Democrat Alice Elia* vs. Jeremiah D. Snyder
  • Ward 2: Democrat Julie Raulli vs. Republican John Huber
  • Ward 5: Democrat Herb Dolaway* vs. Republican Bill Everly 

Chambersburg School Director, Region 5 (Greene 2 and 5, Chambersburg 1-1): Democrat William J. Lennartz Jr.* vs Republican Thomas A. Dolan

Shippensburg School Director, District B (Shippensburg West End, Orrstown, Southampton Township): Voters may choose two - Democrat David L. Lovett*, Democrat/Republican Mark Buterbaugh, Republican Geno Torri. 

Antrim Township Supervisor: Democrat Connie Slye vs. Republican Richard Baer*

Hamilton Township Supervisor (2-year term): Democrat Joe Pyne vs. Republican Ron Yeager*

Metal Township Supervisor: Democrat Anna Swailes* vs. Republican Dale L. Hall

Washington Township Supervisor: Voters may choose two - Democrat Travis Gladhill, Democrat/Republican C. Stewart McCleaf*, Republican Dan DeDona

Shippensburg (West End) Tax Collector: Democrat Patricia A. Bowser vs. Republican Steven Brenize

There are two races that appear to have competing candidates, but really the candidates are one person whose name is listed slightly differently under each party. Gregory Weller is seeking a 6-year term as Montgomery Township Supervisor, and Marshall Stuff is running for Peters Township Supervisor. 

More information about the election, including a sample ballot and polling place information, can be found on the county's website, franklincountypa.gov (choose General Government, then Voter and Election Information). 

Correction: Connie Slye is the Democratic candidate for Antrim Township Supervisor. Her last name was misspelled.