Absentee Votes Could Decide November’s Commissioner Candidates
About 50 Armstrong County residents gathered at the Armstrong County Courthouse Administration Building last night in Kittanning to see Tuesday’s Primary Election results on the whiteboard or flatscreen television monitor as results were tabulated, but the official vote totals - and top four commissioner candidates - will come down to those submitted via absentee ballot.
By Jonathan Weaver
Yesterday was Election Day throughout Pennsylvania, but the final outcome of the most-populated Armstrong County commissioner race in recent memory won’t come until late this morning.
Of the 15 commissioner candidates, the top two Democrat and the top two Republican vote-getters will be officially named by County Election Director Wendy Buzzard after absentee votes are counted.
“We still have the absentee ballots to count, which could make an impact on the results,” Buzzard said. “We need to make sure all those absentee ballots are accounted for, and one of our precincts didn’t bring the black box back so absentees for that precinct are still at the polling place.”
Buzzard identified the box County officials are waiting for as from North Buffalo Township’s West precinct.
The top Democratic vote-getter, however, was Pat Fabian, of Manor Township – who secured more than 2,000 of the 7,331 votes cast.
Though he said he was not concerned with getting the most votes, Fabian hoped it was indicative of his work ethic.
“Our motto was ‘We’re running like we’re losing.’ We wanted to work out every other candidate, and hopefully these numbers demonstrate that,” Fabian said. “That’s my work ethic - we’ve worked every day since January. Every single day.”
Following Fabian into November’s General Election will be either George Skamai, of Rural Valley, or Anthony Shea, of Leechburg.
Skamai currently has the edge with 1,226 votes, but Shea is less than two dozen behind with 1,203.
Before celebrating the victory with his family and about 40 campaign workers at the Ford City Eagles, Fabian dedicated himself to working with either candidate, as well as with the Republican leading candidates.
“I think I can get along with anybody,” Fabian said. “I’m hopeful we get three commissioners who are going to work well together and move this county in a good direction.”
Shortly after 10PM, Candidate Roy Morrison - of Kiski Township – shook hands with Fabian after it became apparent Morrison would not secure one of the top two slots.
Morrison said supports Fabian in the November General Election due to Fabian’s support of the county industrial parks.
Republican Jason Renshaw, of South Buffalo, received the most votes overall, with a total of nearly 2,330 of the nearly-10,400 cast.
“It’s amazing – that’s all I can say. Just surreal,” Renshaw said. “I didn’t know what to expect, first time running in a race like this. I had high hopes, but I just want to thank the voters for turning out
Behind Renshaw on the Republican ballot will be either incumbent Dave Battaglia or former commissioner Patty Kirkpatrick. Battaglia leads Kirkpatrick by 34 votes.
Renshaw – who was applauded by Republican Committee Chair Mike Baker - also said he would work well with Fabian if the top vote-getters both get the majority votes this fall.
“I’m honored – I’m privileged – and I’m excited to get some things done in the county and hopefully work with them in the fall,” Renshaw said. “(Fabian’s) a great man, he’s got some good ideas. I would be excited to have some a couple young bulls ready to hit it hard out of the gate and see what happens.”
Republican Candidate Keith Williamson, of Worthington, was confident in Renshaw after not securing one of the top two slots.
“Jason and I have talked a couple times - I think he’s going to be a strong commissioner,” Williamson said.
Williamson said he went door-to-door campaigning last week, but the name recognition of Battaglia and Kirkpatrick, for example, could have outlasted.
Voting at the Sportsmen’s Club, the North Buffalo Township – West poll officials counted more than 200 cards cast by registered voters. Current voting summary results showed that Shea received 12 votes to Skamai’s 11, and that Battaglia received 34 votes to Kirkpatrick’s 31.
“It’s so close – that’s going to make the different,” Skamai said.
Outgoing Commissioner Rich Fink was confident in any of his successors, and was impressed by both Fabian and Renshaw.
“I think we (have) good candidates – I don’t know who they all are yet, but it looks like a very close race on both the Republican and the Democrat,” Fink said. “I predicted it was going to be a close election with very narrow numbers. We had a lot of candidates working hard.”
Shortly after 8:30PM, the first ballot results were received from poll workers in Applewold Borough – followed shortly by Kittanning Borough’s 1st Ward and Manor Township – North and Manor Township – South results.
More than 30 precincts were counted by 9:30PM, with the final 38 counted about 45 minutes later.
Local News | jweaver May 20, 2015
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By Flamingo1, May 20, 2015 @ 10:16 AM
Well one candidate sort of set himself on fire. Lots of bluster and bombast and he came in 6th in his home area. A lesson to candidates—Maybe Chris Christie can win with in your face campaigning, but nice and considerate usually earns more votes.
By Rainbow Rider, May 21, 2015 @ 12:58 AM
glad jensen finished where he did and glad the false prophet and the suer didn’t win.
By blutoblutarsky, May 21, 2015 @ 12:28 PM
Well said Flamingo! A little dose of humility may actually help the guy out. Only time will tell…