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Candidates battle Tuesday for their party nominations

Besides candidates for political office in Lycoming County, voters heading to the polls for Tuesday’s primary election will be asked to nominate candidates for statewide judge seats.

Two candidates are on the ballot for state Supreme Court justice, one on each major party ballot. They are Democrat Dwayne Woodruff, of Allegheny County, and Republican Sallie Mundy, of Tioga County.

There are four openings for Superior Court judge.

Five candidates are on the Democratic ballot: Carolyn H. Nichols, of Philadelphia; Geoff Moulton, of Montgomery County; Maria McLaughlin, of Philadelphia; Debbie Kunselman, of Beaver County; and Bill Caye, of Allegheny County.

The Republican ballot also has five candidates: Craig Stedman, of Lancaster County; Paula A. Patrick, of Philadelphia; Wade A. Kagarise, of Blair County; Mary Murray, of Allegheny County; and Emil Giordano, of Northampton County.

Only two Republicans are on the ballot for Commonwealth Court judge, and there are two open seats. They are Paul Lalley, of Allegheny County, and Christine Cannon, of Delaware County.

For the Democratic nominations, there are six candidates: Timothy Barry, of Allegheny County; Joe Cosgrove, of Wilkes-Barre; Ellen Ceisler, of Philadelphia; Irene M. Clark, of Pittsburgh; and Bryan Barbin, of Cambria County.

Locally, there are a number of primary contests of interest, including county judge, sheriff, a number of school boards, plus borough and township posts.

Two judge candidates are on the ballot. Roan Confer, a private attorney in the city, and Eric Linhardt, county district attorney, have cross-filed for the Republican and Democrat nominations. A third candidate, Mary Kilgus, a private attorney in Hughesville, is not on the ballot because she failed to meet the signature requirement, but she has said she will attempt to get on the November ballot as an Independent.

In the sheriff’s race, incumbent Mark Lusk is looking to win a third term, defending his position from fellow Republican and newcomer Chad Riley, a constable in Cogan House Township.

Three county district judges — Allen P. Page, Jon Kemp and Gary A. Whiteman — are unopposed.

Notable school board races may be found in Montoursville Area School District, with 11 candidates battling for five openings, and in the Williamsport Area School District, with seven candidates vying for five seats.

East Lycoming, South Williamsport, Jersey Shore, Loyalsock and Muncy area school districts also will have contested races on Tuesday.

The race for three City Council seats is uncontested in the primary, but voters can expect a heavy battle in the months leading up to November with three Democrats and three Republicans seeking nominations Tuesday.

Democratic candidates for council are Derek J. Slaughter, Matilda Noviello and incumbent Liz Miele.

Republican candidates are Steven Shope and incumbents Randall J. Allison and Clifford “Skip” Smith.

A number of boroughs and townships in the county have candidates running for council or supervisor seats. All boroughs will elect mayors this year, but the only primary contest is in DuBoistown, where three candidates are seeking the Republican nomination.

Forrest Lehman, director of voter services, noted that Pennsylvania has a closed primary system and voters may only vote on the ballot that matches their party affiliation.

Unofficial results will be tallied on the county’s website on election night. The official count, which will reveal any successful write-in candidates, will begin on Friday.

The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

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