Races for three of Washington County's 11 magisterial districts were decided Tuesday night as the same candidate won both political party's nod in their respective contests.
East Washington police Chief Robert Redlinger of North Franklin Township will fill the magisterial position that was left open with the retirement of longtime District Judge J. Albert Spence. The district covers Washington, East Washington and North Franklin Township.
The 54-year-old Redlinger faced off against seven other candidates. His closest challenger was Assistant District Attorney Madonna Tatano on the Democratic side, and Deputy Sheriff Pat Puskarich on the Republican ticket. Tatano and Puskarich also reside in North Franklin Township.
"It's unreal," said Redlinger, a former member of the Washington City police. "They (the other candidates) are all good people."
Incumbent Curtis Thompson won his fourth, six-year term as the district judge in Bentleyville. Thompson was challenged by John Petrisek, a Bentleyville attorney and president of Bentworth Area School Board. Petrisek ran unsuccessfully for Washington County judge in 2005.
Meanwhile, Ethan T. Ward, 38, of Donegal Township, secured both parties' nominations for the magisterial position in the Claysville area that was vacated by the retirement of Senior District Judge Jay H. Dutton.
Dutton, 70, has served as magistrate since 1989 and cannot seek re-election because he has reached the mandatory retirement age.
"I have to thank God, then my mother, and then my friends," said Ward.
Ward, who is police chief of his hometown, defeated two opponents - David L. Talpas of South Franklin Township and Stephanie Gallagher of Buffalo Township - for the position.
According to unofficial vote totals, Redlinger received 609 Democratic votes; Tatano's 389 votes, and Puskarich's 356 votes. Redlinger got 376 Republican votes; Puskarich 180 and Tatano 163.
Thompson won the Democratic nod by 1,398 votes to Petrisek's 583. On the Republican ticket, Thompson took in 395 votes while Petrisek only got 155.
In the final race, Ward secured 1,207 Democratic votes to Talpas' 361 and Gallagher's 268. Ward got 1,134 Republican votes, more than five times that of Talpas who had the second highest vote total.