Courthouse Republicans that swept yesterday’s election enjoyed a moment gathered together. Pictured (L-R) are Don Myers, Bill Rupert, Amanda Hiles, Brenda George, Myra Miller, Brian Myers, Marianne Hileman, Katie Charlton, and Jason Renshaw.
All of the county offices were on hand last night in the Administration Building to wait for votes to be counted.
Results were slow to be announced due to a new voting system being used where paper ballots were scanned into the system. Workers used a white board in the lobby to write the totals instead of everyone peering at a monitor screen waiting for updates. It mimicked old-fashioned election returns of days gone by.
It became evident that Republicans turned out to vote. A total of 2,005 Republicans voted straight party compared to only 558 Democrats voting straight party.
Republican Chairman Mike Baker credited the slate of individuals on the Republican tickets.
“We had a great campaign,” Baker said. “We had great candidates. We had a great campaign.”
Republican incumbent commissioner candidate Jason Renshaw credited the Republican voters for responding to the call to vote.
“I think the Republicans here wanted to push to get the GOP back here in the county courthouse,” Renshaw said. “I think just a group effort, team effort, plus we are a Republican county. The voters were obviously happy with us. It just shows they support us and were ready to move on.”
Republican Candidate Don Myers received the most votes, totaling 8,132, followed by Renshaw with 8,007. Democrat incumbent Pat Fabian, who was the top vote-getter four years ago and was Chairman of the commissioners the past four years, moved to third place with 5,148 votes.
“I feel relieved,” Renshaw said as the final results were being announced. “It’s been a long ride and a long road to get here and it’s exciting that the voters of Armstrong County have again voted me in to office. I appreciate it and I’m excited to get to work here.”
Democratic Candidate Anthony Shea couldn’t find enough votes to win him a seat in the commissioners’ office, coming up short with only 4,542 votes.
In the race for County Controller, Republican Myra Miller held on to her seat with 10,393 votes compared to Democrat Calvin Creighton who mustered only 3,614 votes. Miller was first elected in 2003. She has served for 16 years as Controller.
Armstrong County Treasurer Amanda Hiles (left) and Prothonotary Brenda George pause to celebrate their victory of keeping their positions following yesterday’s General Election.
Republican Amanda Hiles will continue as the County Treasurer garnering 10,192 votes. Her Democratic challenger, Jean Stull, only received 3,934 votes. Hiles was first sworn into office in 2012. This will be her third term.
Republican Brenda George ran unopposed to keep her seat as Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts, receiving 12,863. She first was elected in 1999 and this will be her sixth term of office.
Republican Marianne Hileman also ran unopposed to continue as the Register and Recorder as well as the Clerk of Orphan’s Court. Hileman received 12,749 votes.
Baker said he is expecting more from Republicans over the next four years.
“I give a lot of credit to the previous commissioners for making very hard decisions over the last four years,” Baker reflected. “They did a lot of tough things that needed to be done and there’s still more yet to do, so we shall see.”
Total voter turnout in the county was just under 35%.
A small crowd of mostly politicians and their families gathered in the lobby of the County Administration Building to observe returns.