Appeal seeks to remove Westmoreland GOP commissioner challengers from primary ballot

The chairman of the Westmoreland County Republican Committee has renewed his effort to have two GOP candidates for county commissioner removed from the primary ballot.

Bill Bretz on Monday filed an appeal with Commonwealth Court challenging a one-sentence ruling issued March 17 by Common Pleas Judge Jim Silvis. The judge rejected a lawsuit in which Bretz claimed GOP candidates John Ventre and Paul Kosko failed to submit documents required to run for county office.

Bretz claims both Ventre and Kosko did not file statements of financial interest with the chief county clerk in violation of state election codes and, as a result, should not appear as candidates on the May 16 primary ballot. Silvis, without comment, ruled both candidates may remain on the ballot.

Ventre and Kosko claim they were not properly instructed by elections officials as to the proper filing procedures.

Ventre said Monday he is confident his candidacy will be upheld by the appeals court.

“I think it’s foolish. They are making the Republican committee look bad. They are going way out of the way to not allow the public to pick their candidates. It’s strange,” Ventre said.

Ventre and Kosko ran unsuccessfully for Republican nominations for commissioner in 2019. Ventre finished third and Kosko fourth in a seven-candidate primary field.

“I guess they really want me off the ballot. I can’t believe they are doing this. All we want is for the voters to have a choice,” Kosko said.

Bretz’s attorney, Scott Avolio, said the appeal was filed in part to seek clarification about the state’s election code. He said Silvis’ ruling sets different filing standards for candidates seeking municipal and county offices.

“It’s really immaterial about who these two candidates are. This is about understanding more clearly the election laws so we know the rules,” Avolio said.

Ventre and Kosko, both of Hempfield, are seeking to unseat first-term Republican incumbents Sean Kertes and Doug Chew. Patricia Fritz of Mt. Pleasant also is running as a Republican, but her candidacy was not challenged.

Bretz said his court challenge was not filed on behalf of the Republican committee, although he previously conceded the party’s endorsement of Kertes and Chew played a role in his decision to intervene in the race. The Republican committee in February endorsed Kertes and Chew in their reelection bids.

Republican and Democratic voters will nominate two candidates to run in November for three seats on the board of commissioners. Former commissioner Ted Kopas and Scottdale resident Sydney Hovis are the lone Democrats on the primary ballot in the commissioners race.

The top three vote-getters from both parties in the general election will be elected to four-year terms.