Westmoreland is a Republican county. While that has been the the case for the last several years, Tuesday’s GOP victories solidifies the party’s dominance in local politics. Those wins will give Republicans control of every elected office in county government as well as every state and federal office specific to
Four of five district judge seats up for grabs in 2021 will have contested primaries in May.
Meanwhile, just one countywide race the Republican primary for the clerk of courts office will be contested this spring.
Barring candidate challenges, the May 18 primary ballots appear set. The deadline to file nominating petitions expired Tuesday. Elections Bureau Director JoAnn Sebastiani released the names of candidates for county offices after the deadline. A full list of candidates, including those seeking municipal offices and school district seats, could be released today, she said.
There will be contested primaries in four district judge races where no incumbents are seeking reelection.
Westmoreland County Prothonotary Christina O’Brien will not seek a fourth term in office.
O’Brien, 54, a Democrat from Ligonier Township, said ongoing health issues prevent her from participating in another campaign and serving four more years as the head of the county office that oversees all civil and domestic court filings.
“I’m a fighter, but I’m not physically able to do it,” O’Brien said.
She was diagnosed more than two decades ago with the autoimmune disease lupus and, over the years, worked through bouts of the illness. Since March, O’Brien has worked from home because of the additional risks to her health caused by a potential exposure to the coronavirus.