Solicitor: Move from city disqualifies Democratic nominee in Latrobe mayoral race

Sandra McCune, one of two Latrobe mayoral candidates listed on the Nov. 2 ballot, is ineligible because she has moved out of town, according to the city’s solicitor.

That leaves Eric J. Bartels, a city councilman who is serving in the appointed role of deputy mayor, as the sole valid nominee in the mayoral race, as noted in Solicitor John Greiner’s report to council members this week.

In the May primary, Bartels won the Republican nomination for mayor and McCune won the Democratic nod. But McCune has moved to Youngwood, making her ineligible to hold the post, according to Greiner.

McCune could not be reached for comment.

McCune notified county election officials of her relocation but remains on the ballot because she has not officially updated her voter’s registration status to reflect her new address, according to Greiner.

Greg McCloskey, an interim director at the Westmoreland County Election Bureau, confirmed that McCune remains registered as a Latrobe resident.

“She did not change her voter registration,” he said, indicating the bureau can’t make such a change based on a verbal notification. He added that McCune had not withdrawn from the race, and no one had challenged her inclusion on the ballot before the deadline passed.

If she were to receive the most votes on Nov. 2 and subsequently moved back to Latrobe, she still would not have a valid claim to the mayoral post, Greiner indicated.

“At the time of the election, you have to be a resident,” he said.

City Manager Michael Gray added that candidates for mayor are required to live in the city for at least one year beforehand. “Moving out of the city resets the clock,” he said.

Bartels is completing his second term on council. He serves on the public works and student showcase committees, as well as the Adams Memorial Library board. He teaches social studies at Norwin High School and is an adjunct professor at Saint Vincent College.

A native of the state of Indiana, he moved to Latrobe 13 years ago. He and his wife have two sons.

If he is elected, Bartels said he hopes to continue the city’s “forward progress” made under current Mayor Rosie Wolford, who didn’t seek reelection.

“I hope we can maintain the close partnerships with local volunteer and philanthropic organizations that contribute so much to our city’s appeal,” he said, while maintaining “Latrobe’s reputation as a welcoming city for families, encouraging to businesses.”