Marino, Friedenberg to square off in PA-12

BY STACI WILSON

Susquehanna’s Judy Hershel, a Democratic candidate for the newly formed US House 12th District, handedly achieved voter support in the county but lost her primary bid by 223 votes.

Hershel received 1,616 votes in Susquehanna County, to Marc Friedenberg’s 124.

The race was too close to call into Wednesday, but with a Wyoming County precinct, Friedenberg, of Centre County, was pushed to the lead with a total of 12,538 votes to Hershel’s 12,515.

On the Republican ballot, incumbent Tom Marino, of Lycoming County, took over 67 percent of the total district vote, with challenger, Bradford County Commissioner Doug McLinko, garnering about 33 percent.

The percentages were similar in Susquehanna County, Marino received 2,658 votes for just over 63 percent; and McLinko had 1,494 votes for just over 35 percent.

US Senate

Incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey ran unopposed. He will face a challenge from Lou Barletta who has been serving as the 11th District Representative since 2011.

In the primary, Barletta received a total of 429,888 votes; with Jim Christiana getting 251,446. Barletta also carried Susquehanna County with 3,359 votes to Christiana’s 791.

Governor

Incumbent Democratic Governor Tom Wolf will face Scott Wagner, of York County, in the November General Election.

Wagner, a current state senator representing the 28th District, received 323,635 votes, with Paul Mango garnering 269,744, and Laura Ellsworth with 137,478. Wagner carried the Susquehanna County vote with 1,942, with Mango at 1,587 and Ellsworth with 683.

Lt. Governor

Although incumbent Lt. Governor Mike Stack carried the five-way race in Susquehanna County with 476 votes, it was western-PA’s Braddock mayor John Fetterman that came away with the overall win with 288,560 votes. Statewide, Stack only received a little over 17 percent of the vote.

In Susquehanna County, Nina Ahmad was second to Stack with 458 votes, then Fetterman at 358. The race was rounded out by Kathi Cozzone with 318 and Ray Sosa at 63.

Joining Wagner on the Republican ticket will be Jeffrey Bartos of Berks County.

Bartos garnered nearly 47 percent of the statewide vote, and 56 percent of the vote to carry the win in Susquehanna County.

Following Bartos in the four-way race was Kathy Coder, Diana Vaughn, and Peg Luksik.

PA House

Rep. Tina Pickett (R-110th) will face a challenge in November from Democratic candidate Donna Iannone. Iannone currently serves as a county commissioner in Sullivan County.

Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-111th) will also face a challenge in the General Election from Democratic candidate, Becky Kerr-Kinney.

PA State Senate

Incumbent State Senator Lisa Baker ran unopposed on the Republican ballot for re-election to the 20th District seat. There were no candidates for the seat on the Democratic ballot.

Of the 22-219 registered voters in Susquehanna County, a total of 6,161 ballots were cast in the May 15 Primary Election for a total of 27.7 percent voter turnout.

The General Election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Polls will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m.