This story concerns the 2020 primary elections held in June.
Click here for the November 2020 Presidential Elections
The 2020 primary election on Tuesday June 2, in which many of the most important races were uncontested, had a moderate turnout in the county.
7,736 of 19,446 registered Democrats and 13,620 of 37,525 registered Republicans cast ballots for a total of 21,356 voters.
The turnout was slightly greater for Democrats (39.8%) than Republicans (36.3%).
New Pennsylvania laws made it easier to vote by mail and the elections office mailed over 13,000 absentee ballots. Of these, 10,474 were returned and counted, making about 50 percent of the overall vote mail-in.
About 73 percent of Democrats voted by mail compared to about 35 percent of Republicans.
The results were not reported until the day after the primary because the ballots had to be hand counted.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received 94 percent of the vote and Democratic presidential candidate John Biden received 77 percent of the vote.
At the local level the incumbent and uncontested Republican candidates Dan Moul, Torren Ecker, John Joyce, and Doug Mastriano won with 100 percent of the vote. Democratic candidates Rich Sterner and Todd Rowley were also chosen unanimously.
The Pennsylvania Department of State provides an interactive website for viewing these and other results.
County overall election and municipality summaries are available here and here.
Next up is the general presidential election on November 3, 2020.
The 2020 Adams County Primary Election will be held on June 2, 2020.
Adams County’s polls will be open on Tuesday. Each polling place has taken care to assure appropriate social distancing and sanitizing.
Almost 11,000 Adams County residents have chosen to vote by mail in the election by requesting a mail-in ballot.
Notes for Mail-in Voters:
- Your ballot must be received, not just postmarked, by 8:00 p.m. on June 2.
- You may mail your ballot or take it to the Adams County Courthouse.
- Be sure to use a black ink pen. Ballots completed with pencil may not be counted.
- Unless your ballot is damaged or lost, you should not go to the polls on election day.
- If you do go to the polls you will receive a provisional ballot which will not be counted on election day. Provisional ballots must be researched to make sure the voter qualifies and has not already voted by mail before they are hand-counted on the Friday after the election.
View Your Primary Ballot
Information on Current Legislators
Primary Candidate Profiles
All primary candidates have been asked to contribute a profile. Candidates who have replied are listed here.
Todd Rowley, Westmoreland County (D)
Office sought: U.S. House, Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District (PA-13)
Party affiliation: Democratic Party
Place of residence: Jones Mills, Donegal Township, Westmoreland County
Contact information:
Campaign Email: toddrowleypa13@gmail.com
Campaign Manager Email: BillDuffield.pa13@gmail.com
Phone: 814-483-3276
Campaign Website: www.toddrowleyforcongress.com
Social Media: @ToddRowleyPA13
Current position or employment: Retired FBI Special Agent; currently a substitute teacher (K-12)
Education: BA, Political Science, Washington College, Chestertown, MD
Political experience: First-time candidate
How will you help Adams County if you are elected?
As our country and the world continue to face a deadly viral pandemic which has caused a devastating public health and economic crisis, our focus must remain on continuing the public health and safety guidelines to minimize the further spread of the virus, while also beginning the process of reopening businesses, getting people back to work and the economic recovery on a path to pre-pandemic levels. As we are discovering, to do this safely will be a challenge and it is critical that the economic stimulus programs be implemented in an equitable and fair manner with appropriate oversight so that the priority goes to hardworking men, women and families, and small businesses, farmers, ranchers and the agriculture industry that drives the local economy in Adams County and across PA-13. This is what I will fight for should I be so honored and privileged to be elected to represent the citizens of Adams County.
Rich Sterner, Adams County (D)
Office sought: PA Senate District 33
Party affiliation: Democrat
Place of residence: Lake Meade, East Berlin, Pa.
Contact information:
Email: sternerforpa@gmail.com
Phone: (717) 321-6212
Social Media: www.sternerforpa.com, Sterner for PA on Facebook and Instagram, Facebook LIVE every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7:30PM., and I’ll do a ZOOM meeting with anybody at anytime … just contact the campaign!
Current position or employment: Retired Principal, Biglerville High School
Education: Masters in Educational Administration
Political experience: Currently VP Bermudian Springs School Board (2 years), Attended and participated in nearly 800 school board meetings as an administrator at Upper Adams School District
How can you help Adams County if you are elected?
PA Senate District 33 includes ALL of Adams County, therefore I would represent the entirety of the county. I am very acquainted with various constituencies and interests pertaining to the county, least of which would be farming and tourism. But we also must look to the future to ensure economic stability (especially in this difficult time), and as we navigate through this pandemic … hopefully … economic growth into the future. Adams county is unique though in that we also must preserve out legacy as a national landmark while still laying down a path to bring job growth beyond minimum wage and income beyond poverty level. As a principal, I’ve seen our greatest resource … our young people … to many times in order to advance in there interests and careers move away from our area. We need to work cooperatively on both sides of the aisle, preserving our heritage AND creating a culture, opportunities for Adams county to be a leading gateway into Pennsylvania for decent skilled positions, high paying economic opportunities, and room for our young people to live and raise there families right here!
I can also bridge the divide that has opened between us. Not the Blue and the Gray in this case but the Red and the Blue. I will lead from the front, being proactive and problem solving. I will not lead from the rear, pointing fingers and playing the blame game. It’s time to go to work getting for Senate District 33 the necessary things to first get through this mess of a pandemic. Secondly, to move forward into the future by examining our mistakes (and learning from them), and looking into the future for the good of people of SD 33 and Pennsylvania.
Thank you!
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.