Certified results show 3 newcomers prevailing in Kiski Township supervisor races

Political newcomers prevailed in all three races for Kiski supervisors, ousting incumbents and all but securing victories in November, according to results certified Tuesday by the Armstrong County Elections Bureau.

Republican Brittany Hilliard, the woman embroiled in a social media scandal before the May primary, easily secured one of the nominations with 268 votes. Write-in Mary Long also will appear on the November ballot after receiving 220 votes.

“It’s so exciting that I could’ve cried when I saw the numbers,” Long said.

“I knocked on so many doors and had so many people welcome me. I feel we need change.”

The pair defeated incumbents Jeff Snyder, Rich Frain and Mike Bash. They earned votes of 211, 138 and 90, respectively.

The certified results, which include write-in votes, did not change the outcome shown by primary day votes, but the number of write-ins would have been enough to affect the outcome if the incumbents had fared well with them.

Snyder ran for a six-year term despite being appointed to council this year to fill the balance of Sherry Tamski’s term after she resigned. He will continue to serve out that term.

“I’m happy with the results, and I believe it’s time for a change,” said Hilliard, 29, who was targeted by people distributing packets with racy photos from her OnlyFans, Twitter and TikTok accounts.

Hilliard, a stay-at-home wife and mother, said she is “looking forward to what I’m able to bring to the township and move it in the right direction.”

The photo packets were handed out to several businesses in Apollo. Police said they have no suspects.

Attempts to reach Frain and Bash were not successful.

On the Democratic side, Ronald Baker earned a nomination with 214 votes, and Long secured a nod with 88 write-ins.

In the race for one four-year term, Hilliard cruised to victory on the Republican side. She earned a nomination with 242 votes, besting incumbent Dylan Foster, who got 187 votes.

On the Democratic side, Long secured 62 write-in votes to appear on the fall ballot.

Long, a resident for nearly 14 years, serves on the planning commission, but will resign that seat if election to supervisor becomes official.

While campaigning, Long heard from many people who said they hope to support small-business development while maintaining the largely rural nature of the township.

“There’s a lot of animosity these days,” said Long, a substitute office staffer in the Apollo-Ridge School District. “We haven’t been in the news for good things lately, and I’d like to get back to the basics of what our township can be.”

Foster was unable to be reached for comment.

If Hilliard wins both the six-year and the four-year terms, she will have to choose which one to accept. Next year’s board of supervisors will be tasked with appointing someone to fill the other seat.