Republican and Democratic voters in Adams County School Districts made their choices on a cool spring day Tuesday, narrowing crowded fields in several competitive school board races. With primary ballots now counted, the top four candidates from each party will advance to the general election this fall.
Please find detailed results of all races here.
Leading the Democratic field in the Gettysburg School District was former board member Kathleen Pratt, who garnered 1,738 votes, followed by Julieta Booz (1,343), Charles Weise (1,193), and Dale Brennan (1,130).
On the Republican side, David L. Sites led with 1,780 votes, followed closely by Justine Sieg (1,508), Donna S. Harrison (1,267), and Michelle Smyers (1,092).
These eight candidates will compete for the four at-large seats in November.
“I’m grateful to all the people who voted for me and who helped my campaign,” said Weis, commenting after the polls closed. “Democrats were clearly energized, as evidenced by the higher-than-expected turnout. Congratulations to my fellow Democratic candidates as well. I’m proud of our cooperative spirit and look forward to continuing our work in the general election,” he said.
Sieg said, “I would like to thank everyone for their support, and I hope to earn their vote again in the General Election.”
“Today, I enjoyed going to all the Gettysburg Area School District’s precincts. I want to thank everyone who came out to vote today or mailed in their ballots,” said candidate Julieta Booz. “Throughout my campaign, I have enjoyed talking to voters one-on-one, and today was no different. While some precincts were busier than others, I enjoyed talking to everyone who came out to vote and meeting and talking to candidates running for other positions from both parties,” she said.
In the Littlestown Area School District’s 4-year at-large race, Democrats advanced Rachel Huchison (337 votes) and Brian Lawyer (334 votes). Carl S. Thompson (275) and Janell Ressler (232) round out the Democrats. Republican voters selected Steven Yerger (720), Janell Ressler (617), Alberta Ally MacCall (577), and Donna J. Baylis (520).
In the 2-year at-large term, Jeanne C. Ewen was the only listed candidate and secured nomination from both parties.
At Upper Adams, Democratic voters advanced Kay E. Hollabaugh (374), Rachel Elliott (312), Deb Steckler (301), and Eric Markle (296) to the general election. On the Republican side, the top four vote-getters were Hollabaugh (809), Melissa Anders (610), Matthew Lustig (598), and John W. Lindemulder (487).
Winners of the Democratic race for Gettysburg Borough Council are Ward 1 – Jeffrey Rioux, Ward 2 – incumbent Chris Berger, and Ward 3 – William Mooney. Republican candidates for Gettysburg Borough Council include David Petters from Ward 1. Too few write-in candidates were cast for a Republican nominee in Ward 2, but the 20 write-in votes could provide enough for a person to be named as a fall candidate in Ward 3.
In the statewide judicial races, Adams County voters backed Brandon Neuman in the Democratic primary for Judge of the Superior Court. Stella Tsai led the Democratic field for Judge of the Commonwealth Court. On the Republican side, Maria Battista was the top vote-getter for the Superior Court, while Matt Wolford won the Commonwealth Court race..
In the race for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Adams County, Republican Paul B. Royer won the Democratic nomination. On the Republican side, Torren Ecker secured the top spot with 5,060 votes, defeating Royer. This sets up a rematch between Royer, who is running as a Republican but who won in the Democratic Primary, and Ecker in the general election.
In the Adams County Sheriff’s race, Josh Fitting (3,987 votes), will run unopposed in the fall, beating out John Wega (2,875 votes) and Kevin E. Miller (1,028 votes) in the Republican primary.
Featured image caption: Adam Thompson supported Torren Ecker’s candidacy at Gettysburg’s 3rd Ward polling place in the Gettysburg rec park’s Sterner Building.