2019 primary election: Commissioners and clerk of courts races have primary contests

Tuesday is the day that voters will decide who will be on the ballot to run in the November general election.

There are three contested races in the primary, while candidates who are unopposed within their parties this time around will go head-to-head with opponents in six general election contests.

The contested primary election races are on both the Democratic and Republican tickets for two nominations for four-year terms as Carbon County Commissioners, as well as a Republican fight for the nomination for the two-year term as Clerk of Courts.

Meanwhile, six other row offices in the county will be decided in November, including four that will be contested, meaning there will be races in the fall for eight of the 10 county positions to be filled.

Here is what voters will see on the primary ballot Tuesday:

Commissioners

Three Democrats and five Republicans are running, with two from each party to advance to the general election.

Commissioner William O’Gurek, a Democrat, is retiring from his position, with the three candidates running for the two party nominations being Robert “Bob” Jacobs of Towamensing Township, Rocky Ahner of Lehighton and Shawn M. Kresge of Penn Forest Township.

Seeking the Republican nominations are Jason Frey of Franklin Township, Chris Lukasevich of Jim Thorpe, Tom J. Gerhard of Packer Township, Tom Boyko of Lansford and Wayne E. Nothstein of Lehighton. Gerhard and Nothstein are incumbents.

While each party nominates two candidates to advance to the general, three will be elected to four-year terms that will begin on the first Monday in January.

Clerk of Courts

There is a Republican battle for that nomination for the two-year term as Clerk of Courts that is to be decided in the aftermath of the retirement and subsequent arrest of William C. McGinley.

He retired last year, only to be charged with six felony charges alleging stealing from the office.

Meanwhile, Democrat Fran Heaney of Nesquehoning was appointed by Gov. Tom Wolf to fill the term through this year. She is unopposed in the primary and will run against whoever prevails between GOP candidates Tyra Boni of Franklin Township and Kathy McGuire of Jim Thorpe.

Controller

Controller Robert M. Crampsie, a Democrat, is retiring from that position, leaving a fall matchup between Thomas T.J. McCall of Summit Hill, the Democrat, and Mark Sverchek of Lehighton, the Republican candidate. Neither faces primary opposition.

Recorder of Deeds

Longtime Democratic Recorder of Deeds Emmett P. McCall was seeking re-election and was unopposed prior to his passing on March 13. His name continues to appear on the ballot since he filed nominating petitions before his death. Since it is likely McCall will be nominated, the Democratic Party will name a successor to the ballot position for the general election.

Whoever that person is will face Republican Donna L. Gentile of Jim Thorpe for the four-year term. Gentile in unopposed on the GOP slate.

District Attorney

There is no contest in May for the four-year term for District Attorney, but there will be in November.

District Attorney Jean A. Engler of Jim Thorpe, a Democrat and the county’s first female top prosecutor, is running unopposed for re-election to another four-year term.

She will face Republican Michael S. Greek of Nesquehoning, the second district attorney for the county, in November.

Prothonotary

Prothonotary Joann M. Behrens of Penn Forest Township, a Democrat, is running for re-election to a four-year term and is unopposed from her party.

She will face Kayla Semmel of Mahoning Township in November. Semmel is unopposed on the Republican ticket.

Sheriff

Sheriff Anthony S. Harvilla of Tresckow, Banks Township, a Democrat, is running for re-election to his second four-year term of office. He is unopposed from within his party and there is also no Republican candidate seeking the position.

Coroner

Coroner Robert W. Miller Jr. of Mahoning Township, a Democrat, is running for re-election to his second four-year term as well. He is not only unopposed on the Democratic side but does not have a Republican challenger either.