McCandless councilman defeated in primary; write-in votes could shape race for 2 seats in November

Incumbent McCandless Councilman David Smith lost a bid in Tuesday’s primary to run for a full, four-year term in the November general election.

Smith, who represents the 4th Ward, received 71 votes in the primary. He was defeated by GOP challenger Jason Singer, who received 397 votes.

Smith was appointed in July to fill the seat vacated by Joan Powers, who resigned when she moved out of McCandless.

No Democrats ran for their party’s nomination to fill the 4th Ward seat, but 70 write-in votes were cast.

Only 10 write-in votes are needed to get on the ballot in November, according to county election officials.

People who receive enough write-in votes to run in the general election must accept the party’s nomination and be qualified to run before their names are placed on the ballot.

In Ward 2, Democrat Marcia M. Pearson won her party’s nomination to run for the seat occupied by incumbent Councilwoman Shelly Spohnholz, who is not seeking reelection. Spohnholz was appoint in May to fill an unexpired term that runs through the end of this year.

Pearson, who ran unopposed in the primary, will face Republican Jack Casey on Nov. 2. Casey did not have face any challengers in the primary.

Incumbent Republican Councilwoman Carolyn Schweiger ran unopposed for her party’s nomination to run for a second term as the Ward 6 representative on town council. She received 370 votes.

No Democrats sought party nominations, but there were 70 write-in votes cast.

Singer and Smith, who were the only candidates for town council to face primary challenges, outlined there positions prior to the election.

The other four members of town council will be up for reelection in 2023.